Category: LiveNews

Source: Radio New Zealand

One of New Zealand’s smallest birds remains in big trouble after a tough breeding season saw a third of the eggs or newly hatched chicks eaten by predators.

There were 29 tara iti, or fairy tern, eggs laid across the country, but only 11 chicks survived.

Despite the majority of eggs not fledging, Department of Conservation (DOC) tara iti recovery programme lead Alex Wilson told Checkpoint she remained upbeat about the numbers.

“We’re feeling pretty positive about the season. We did lose quite a few this year, but we ended up with 11 chicks fledging this season, which is a good result for us.

“A bad year in the past, we could have gotten one to three chicks that might have fledged.”

Wilson said predators remained the biggest issue for the tara iti, and DOC put a lot of effort in to ensure the chicks have every chance of survival.

The Mangawhai site had a “rat problem”, and the Kahu, or Australasian Harrier, took out some of the chicks as well, Wilson said.

Wilson described the monitoring of the nests as “very intense”, and said the breeding sites are monitored around the clock during the breeding season, which runs from September to February.

DOC staff and volunteers share the duties keeping an eye on the sites, and Wilson said they are looking for risk of predators, human disturbance, and any other threats like the tide and storms that might come in.

“If we perceive a threat, that’s when we do things like collecting the eggs and taking them to safety.”

WIlson said when the eggs need to be moved, they switch the real egg with a hand-painted 3D printed egg.

The real eggs are transported to either another safe nest, or to Auckland Zoo.

This season, 10 eggs ended up at Auckland Zoo, and a number of companies chipped in with fish to help feed the hungry chicks.

“They support us by providing us live fish, so trout and salmon, and the birds eat a lot so they can eat, when they’re little, up to 70 fish a day. More than their own body weight,” Wilson said.

DOC have also started tracking the birds, and after receiving some “cool results” last year, Wilson is hopeful the tracking will provide new insights into the birds.

Wilson said five birds have been fitted with satellite transmitters or “little mini backpacks”, and DOC hopes to track them for a year.

“The information last year we’d never seen before, so it gives us insight into where they’re going and areas that we might need to protect and other things that might be threatening them.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/tough-breeding-season-for-tara-iti-one-of-new-zealands-smallest-birds/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as fuel prices rise amid fears over the Iran war and potential shortages.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis have been addressing the latest on the fuel crisis, warning that NZ is now preparing for a possible ‘prolonged’ Iran conflict.

“Hope is not a plan,” Luxon said.

It comes in the wake of a global rise in oil prices following the US-Israel war on Iran. Iran’s response has included the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transportation channel for Middle Eastern energy exports.

Strikes overnight hit Iran’s part of the world’s largest gas field. Iran has vowed revenge, listing energy targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar as potential targets.

The Automobile Association here has warned further price hikes are likely.

There have been reports of service stations running out of fuel as motorists rush to fill up.

New Zealand has several weeks’ supply in storage or on the way, the government has said.

Follow our liveblog for how the day unfolded:

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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/2026/03/19/as-it-happened-fuel-stations-run-out-again-luxon-warns-nz-preparing-for-prolonged-iran-conflict/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government is seeking proposals from operators to restore and operate the historic Chateau Tongariro hotel in the Central North Island at the base of Mt Ruapehu.

The heritage building has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023 due to earthquake risk, after more than 90 years in business.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced the new process will identify operators capable of restoring the building, while also respecting the area’s unique conservation values.

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says it’s a significant step forward for saving the heritage building and bringing more tourists to the district.

It’s situated near the Tongariro Crossing Alpine Walk which brings in around 100,000 visitors each year for the spectacular 19 kilometre volcanic hike.

“We’ve got two parts to it, one is that we’ve got the tender process for the Chateau,” Kirton said

“The other is to see what the government is saying about the concessions, meaning that anyone that is going to bid for the Chateau needs to have certainty that they’ve got it for a reasonable period – some were suggesting 100 years.”

The Chateau was built in 1929 within the boundaries of the Tongariro National Park to encourage tourism within the park.

The conservation minister said it has long been an iconic destination for visitors and was an important part of the region’s identity.

“The Request for Proposals (RFP), opening on 19 March 2026, invites interested parties to put forward plans that recognise both the heritage significance of the Chateau and the cultural importance of Tongariro National Park,” Potaka said.

“The Chateau is a landmark many New Zealanders have visited for holidays to school trips and international visitors experiencing Tongariro for the first time.”

Restoring the building will help ensure the area continues to attract visitors while supporting local businesses and tourism in the wider region.

“We are looking for proposals that balance commercial viability with conservation values, respect for tangata whenua aspirations, and the unique character of Tongariro National Park.”

The RFP process will help identify operators capable of restoring the building while ensuring it remains consistent with the values of one of New Zealand’s most important national parks.

National Party MP for Whanganui Carl Bates has welcomed the announcement calling it “great news”.

“The Chateau is a landmark many New Zealanders have visited for holidays to school trips and international visitors experiencing Tongariro for the first time. Restoring the building will help ensure the area continues to attract visitors while supporting local businesses and tourism in the wider region.”

Kirton said it showed the government was serious about restoring the building and bringing certainty around the lease of the land.

“We know now that the government is serious about looking for potential bidders – those who have balance sheets to revitalise the Chateau.”

He was aware of companies that could bring the heritage-listed building back to its former glory.

“There are people around. We’ll be meeting one of them this weekend,” he said.

“I think it’s a long way towards saving it, but there’s a lot of work to be done on behalf of the Department of Conservation and the National Park Acts of Parliament need to be adjusted.

“The government could well work through the existing legislation to allow this to proceed. All I can do is relay to the government that it’s important for our district and the country to save the chateau because of its heritage status.”

Tenders are open from 19 March to 21 April 2026.

Potaka said a panel will assess all proposals it receives.

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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/2026/03/19/proposals-sought-for-restoration-of-historic-chateau-tongariro-hotel/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellingtonians are divided over the government’s planned tunnels and highway extensions, according to a report by NZTA.

The plan to revamp the state highway corridor from the Terrace Tunnel through to Kilbirnie is expected to cost $2.9 billion to $3.8 billion, and is an attempt to ease congestion.

The project involves the construction of second tunnels at the Terrace and Mt Victoria, refurbishments of SH1 across the city, especially in Te Aro, Hataitai, Kilbirnie, and an upgrade of the roads at Basin Reserve.

NZTA has gathered public opinion in surveys, online and during community information sessions, and released the findings on Thursday.

Residents appeared split over the changes.

Proximity to the works influenced public perception.

Residents in southern and CBD suburbs – those nearest to the road works – were more likely to say the changes would be worse for them and the city.

But those further away from proposed changes, in northern suburbs and outside of Wellington city, were more likely say the changes would be better for them and the city.

People were most vocal about the second tunnel at Mt Victoria which attracted the most amount of online feedback of all the proposed changes.

Opinion was divided over whether cycle and pedestrian lanes were wide enough to be safe.

Those in favour of the second tunnel also cited easing congestion as a benefit.

Others complained of the tunnel’s impact on the loss of housing and the safety of children walking to school with more cars on the roads.

‘I am also disappointed that houses will be demolished along the route when housing is under such demand in Wellington,” read one comment.

The most popular change was the second tunnel at the Terrace, which locals hoped would boost investment in the city and fight bottlenecks.

One respondent wrote: “This will help grow our city as better infrastructure will encourage investment.”

The least popular changes in the project were the widening of Ruahine Street and Wellington Road to provide two lanes in each direction.

Residents expressed concerns that traffic from a wider road would overflow into smaller side roads.

The design’s lack of right-turns from Ruahine Street and Hamilton Road and limited entry and exit points attracted concern.

“You’ve only given us one on-ramp from Hataitai which is just going to back traffic all up the main street.”

Arguments in favour of proposed changes cited the need for better transport through the city, such as to the airport, to stimulate economic growth.

“This is a long overdue project …. a once-in-a-generation opportunity to futureproof the area.”

But others worried these benefits would be undermined by the costs.

“The cost of $3.8 billion is an extraordinary sum to spend for minimal time savings – the benefits are not worth it,” said one comment.

The project is estimated to save up to 10 minutes from travel times during peak journeys from the Wellington region to the CBD, hospital, and airport.

Some respondents focused on how the changes might ease congestion. One comment read: “The current situation is terrible for cyclists/walkers … I particularly like the cycle and walkway through the tunnel.”

The project’s environmental impact caused concern to residents, and some were happy NZTA was taking it into consideration. But others argued the changes were necessary. “We need growth, we need people. This will make all city suburbs better.”

Detractors complained that construction and the improvements themselves would result in more noise and pollution, worrying the changes would attract more cars on the road, worsening congestion in the area and possibly undermining public safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Induced demand will inevitably result in future congestion, bringing us back to the same bottlenecks,” said a respondent.

Another contentious issue was that of parking, as the project might remove up to 200 parking spaces.

“The removal of car parking by WCC has already impacted the central city, the removal of further carparks from Vivian Street will exacerbate the difficulties that locals, tradies, and shoppers encounter when accessing homes and businesses,” argued a local.

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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/2026/03/19/wellingtonians-split-over-second-tunnels-and-sh1-revamp/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Food stalls will be banned from the Queenstown lakefront after the district council voted on measures to deal with public health concerns, litter and traders blocking footpaths.

The decision extends and expands a year-long trial ban that was only partly successful because of persistent breaches and resistance from some stallholders, according to council staff.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) monitoring showed there were often between six and 22 stalls on a 150m stretch of the lakefront despite a requirement for stalls to be 50m apart.

Traders were also a nuisance because of smells, litter and clutter, staff said.

All nine pop-up food stalls inspected by the council last year had issues with basic safety requirements, such as a lack of hand-washing facilities, poor temperature control and inadequate food storage.

During the last New Year’s Eve celebrations, council staff said police were called after several traders showed “severe and unnecessary aggression” in refusing to vacate event zones.

Business leaders gave the council evidence of fat residue and oil stains damaging the street, while the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce and Hospitality New Zealand argued that unregulated stalls were unfair competition for fixed-premise businesses.

Under the trial ban that began in April 2025, the council stopped issuing new permits but let existing traders run stalls until their permits expired.

Council staff said unlawful trading continued, including new operators with no permission to trade on the waterfront and existing traders who took no notice of the ban.

Stallholders push back

At a council meeting on Thursday several stallholders urged the council to rethink the ban.

Oyster stallholder Poppy Prentice said it would have a significant impact on traders.

“Some of the current rules, like the 50m spacing and moving around every hour, are simply not workable in practice. This isn’t about refusing to follow rules. We’re asking for practical, fair ones that can realistically be met,” she said.

“We’re also prepared to pay fair market value and an appropriate permit fee. We want to operate within a system that is fair, transparent and sustainable for everyone.”

Long-serving restaurateur and food-stall operator Graeme McCarthy said food carts had been part of the town for decades and the ban was unjust.

His said his food cart was promoted on YouTube and TikTok to well over one million subscribers.

“They come to Queenstown because they see the beautiful scenery behind our cart,” he said.

“Food vendors do create jobs in Queenstown and spend money locally. Removal of waterfront vendors just adds to this increasing commercialisation and loss of local character in the town,” he said.

Councillors all in favour of ban

Councillors unanimously supported the ban.

Heath Copland said while he enjoyed the vibe that the stallholders brought to the lakefront, he backed the council staff.

“I like the entrepreneurial spirit they bring. That notwithstanding though, I do have to trust the staff here,” he said.

Councillor Samuel “Q” Belk said some businesses were paying rates, insurance and other charges to operate on the waterfront while pop-up vendors were not.

“I think we need to look at the equity between the two business models,” he said.

Councillor Niki Gladding said she supported the ban as a way to “solve a problem that has not been solved by any other means” but the council should take some ownership of the problem and work towards a better long-term solution.

“The issues down there are not going away. This does temporarily relieve us of them. We have the review of the [activities in public places] bylaw coming up, which I think we know needs to be looked at,” she said.

The new measures extend the temporary ban beyond the lakefront and into nearby streets, as well as prolonging it.

They take effect on 17 April and will remain in place until the next formal review of the activities in public places bylaw, which was scheduled for July.

The number of valid registrations for the lakefront was falling, with only nine traders set to be operating there by next month, council staff said.

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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/2026/03/19/queenstown-lakes-district-council-to-permanently-ban-lakeside-stalls/