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.
The Chateau Tongariro has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023.Wikimedia Commons
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.”
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says there are companies out there who could restore the Chateau to its former glory.Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ
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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Three Sister’s Brewery founder Joe Emans wants to leave the Sunshine Brewing brands intact.Robin Martin/RNZ
The sale of one of New Zealand’s oldest running independent craft brewery is a deal worth toasting, according to those close to the transaction.
Sunshine Brewing – including its iconic Gisborne Gold brand – has been sold, saving the multi-award winning brewery from potential closure.
Taranaki’s Three Sister’s Brewery is taking over its East Coast cousin – for an undisclosed sum – “with the intention of keeping Sunshine alive, keeping the taproom trading, and protecting the legacy Sunshine has built in Gisborne”.
Legend has it surfers Geoff “Lumpy” Logan and Gerry Maude came up with idea for Sunshine Brewing while out catching waves in 1989, famously launching the lager Gisborne Gold – a 90s staple for uni students – in the process.
Current owner Martin Jakicevich and two mates, Mark Young and Peter Thorpe, bought Sunshine in 2013 and set about modernising it and creating a popular taproom.
Jakicevich had mixed feelings about letting it go.
“There’s been a lot of joy in getting the brand re-established and back on the map and talked about, so it’s sort of bittersweet to see it go, but at the same time I’m really pleased to see it go to a brewer and out there making some good beers and with a vision, so yeah, it is a bittersweet type thing.”
Martin Jakicevich would miss the great staff at the brewery and those eureka moments only brewing could provide.
“I’ll certainly miss the smell of the brew in the morning there’s no doubt about that. Walking into that place when there’s a brew going on is fantastic.
“It always comes down to this… when I try a new beer and the beer is fantastic that’s always been the best moments and we’ve had a few of them. That’s what I’ll miss those moments of saying ‘we nailed it’.”
Three Sister’s founder Joe Emans was a huge fan of Sunshine Brewing.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for Sunshine and what they’ve been doing. They’ve been going a long time I think they are the oldest independent craft brewery in the country particularly with Gisborne Gold which is a really well distributed beer and I think a lot of people have affection for that beer and we do and I do particularly, so we want to keep that legacy going independently.”
Emans said Sunshine would be a good fit for Three Sisters which recently crowdfunded about $400,000 to expand its brewing capacity.
“We can immediately make use of that additional capacity that they’ve got, so that relieves our production constraints here in New Plymouth.
“We’ve been exporting to China and that’s partly why we’ve reached our production constraint and I’ve reached out to our distributor there and they’ve said they’d be keen to distribute Sunshine in China as well so there should be an immediate up tick from that.”
Emans said it was likely higher volume production for both brands would take place in Gisborne while New Plymouth would focus small-batch seasonal beers.
“Our plan is simple: Sunshine stays Sunshine – a Gisborne brewery with its own identity – while Three Sisters provides the operational backbone and production capacity to support stability and growth.
Sunshine’s core brands and taproom would remain and Eman’s hopeful of retaining key staff.
‘Bold move’ expansions show a brewery on the up: Beer writer
Publisher of craft beer magazine Pursuit of Hoppiness Michael Donaldson said Sunshine Brewing’s owners had been looking for a sale and it was great another craft brewer had come in for it.
“Look Gisborne Gold is a hugely popular beer in the East Cape region and Sunshine Brewery are an incredible local brewery and they are New Zealand’s longest running independently owned craft brewery, so it’s a really vital part of the landscape.”
He said it was a significant step for Three Sisters.
“I can understand why someone would want to pick up Sunshine because their local strength is amazing plus they still have a presence in Wellington. You’ll find it on tap in a number of bars there, Gizzy Gold.
“Yeah, so it’s a bold move by Three Sisters and it sort of follows on from their expansion into Wellington recently where they opened a taproom. They’re a brewery on the up.”
Donaldson said Three Sister’s innovative crowdfunding approach and exports to China – which made up about 30 percent of sales by volume – underpinned its success.
“It’s massive. China is a huge country but it’s also got a strong appetite for beer and so they’re getting unique products. New Zealand beers, a lot of them made with New Zealand hops and that New Zealand Inc story.
“Each one of these small breweries that is delivering export orders to China, it’s a drop in their beer ocean, but at this end it’s hugely significant.”
Drinkers in New Plymouth were excited about the move.
Wellington visitor Vincent gave it the thumbs up.
“I hope it saves Gizzy Gold because my friends and I drink it quite a bit, so if it could keep going that would be really good.”
He was familiar with Three Sisters also.
“I’ve been travelling for a bit but one of my friends posted about Three Sisters opening up down there and we really like them at Beervarna so we’re quite excited about that.”
Andrew had dipped into the crowdfunding offer.
“I think it’s really amazing and Joe and the team have been very progressive in the way they’ve grown the business here and I think it’s going to be a great thing overall. They’re going to take care of the Sunshine legacy and do great things with it.”
Allan was not totally convinced.
“I’m not a great lager fan, but I’ve got a small shareholding from the last funding round, so yeah, it’s all good as far as that goes, but as far as the lager goes I’m more of a hazy guy.”
Beer fans on both sides of the North Island should have easy access to both Sunshine Brewing and Three Sisters brands in a couple of months.
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Authors have to confirm their eligibility for payment every year, whether or not they have new books in libraries.Google Maps
Authors who missed out on a payment for having books in the library are receiving the money they are owed.
RNZ reported in February that 318 authors had received an email in error in July confirming they were registered for the Public Lending Right scheme, when they were not actually registered.
The Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme makes a payment to authors each year, when they have sufficient books in New Zealand libraries.
The payments are made in December from a government fund of $2.4 million. In 2025 there were 1541 registered and the per-book rate was $5.19.
Authors have to confirm their eligibility for payment every year, whether or not they have new books in libraries.
National librarian Te Pouhuaki Rachel Esson said in a statement on Thursday that 46 of those people had been identified as being eligible for a payment this year.
“We sincerely apologise for our failure to do that, and for the inconvenience it has caused.
“Authors are now being contacted directly regarding the outcome of our investigations and explaining next steps. We are reviewing the PLR administrative process, and the scheme’s usability to prevent this error from happening again.”
She said the 46 eligible authors who did not receive a payment had been offered the amount they would have received if their registration had been successfully processed.
“This payment comes from existing sources of National Library funding and is based on the 2025 book rate.”
Another 272 people had been contacted to confirm they were not eligible for a payment last year. Authors must have at least 50 copies of their book in a library to qualify.
“Our investigations have found that they were not eligible for the 2025 PLR round and/or did not attempt to register before 1 March 2025. Accordingly, they will not be receiving a payment in connection with the 2025 PLR round.
“We have had useful feedback from authors about how the registration process could be improved. A key recommendation from authors is an automated response in real-time to let them know that their registration has been received would resolve many concerns. In the absence of an automated email for the 2026 year, we have been manually sending acknowledgment of registration.
“The Public Lending Right Advisory Group, consisting of members from the New Zealand Society of Authors, the Library and Information Association, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, met in March to discuss the ongoing review of the PLR Scheme and will continue to do so over the coming months.”
Artist’s impression of the Mt Victoria tunnel, part of the NZTA proposals for State Highway 1 in Wellington, which would see a second tunnel.Supplied / NZTA Waka Kotahi
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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Queenstown Lakes District Council 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.123RF
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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HPV self-tests increase screening rates, with a new study finding 10 percent more coverage at clinics which offer it.
Self-testing for human papillomavirus was rolled out nationally in September 2023.
The study period for this newly-published research took place before that change – between February 2022 and September 2023 – but it compared screening rates at clinics which offered self-testing, to those which didn’t.
It found screening coverage was 10.8 percent higher at practices offering self-testing, and higher for all groups, including Māori – a historically undeserved group.
Published on Thursday in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women’s Health journal, it included 22,511 people enrolled in 14 GPs in Te Tai Tokerau Northland.
Half the practices offered HPV self-testing and half offered a vaginal speculum exam by a doctor or nurse, the standard screening method before self-testing was introduced.
Professor Bev Lawton, lead author of the study and director of the University’s Te Tātai Hauora o Hine-National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa, said the study proved self-testing was a game changer.
“We know from our previous research the HPV self-test is acceptable and accessible for under- and never-screened wāhine Māori,” she said.
HPV causes 95 percent of cervical cancers. According to Health NZ, since HPV self-testing was introduced in 2023, 81 percent of those being screened have opted to self-test – in the two years to July 2025, screening coverage rose by 7.4 percent.
It was important to understand how changes to the kinds of test on offer would affect the overall coverage, or number of people being reached by the programme, Lawton said.
“If you’re going to change it and offer a self-test, you don’t want to lose your coverage,” she said. “Because the more people that the programme screens, the more likely that you’re going to save lives.”
Speaking from Austria, where she and her colleagues were discussing the study findings at the international conference EUROGIN, an international congress on HPV infections and associated cancers, she said the study could have worldwide ramifications – millions of people around the world could be spared an invasive vaginal speculum exam.
“We believe all national cervical screening programmes should urgently consider a universal offer of HPV self-testing through primary care,” she said.
“If you have an organised screening programme, as you do in high income countries… it really means that millions of women do not need to have a speculum.”
The research was funded by the Health Research Council, the Ministry of Health, and Mahitahi Hauora.
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Louis Theroux’s recent documentary Inside the Manosphere, alongside Netflix’s 2025 hit drama Adolescence, has driven a spike in public discussion about the “manosphere”. The term refers to a loose ecosystem of anti-feminist online communities and influencers that promote male dominance and hostility toward women.
Much of the public conversation about the manosphere focuses on how boys and young men fall into these spaces. A new study by the Australian Institute of Criminology asks a different question: how do some men manage to leave?
Real-world dangers
Concern about this online culture has grown in recent years. Increasing attention has been paid to adolescent boys and young men going down toxic online rabbit holes, moving from the misogynistic worldview of manosphere influencers toward more extreme spaces.
Louis Theroux (R) talks to British influencer Ed Mathews in Inside the Manosphere.
In his disarmingly polite way, the acclaimed documentarian enters the toxic hellhole of the manosphere to expose the people pushing this misogynistic movement.
Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a selfie with fans, supporters and crowd.Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries has played every A-League game – and nearly every minute – in the club’s history, making him the first player to bring up a milestone for the team.
Plucked out of amateur club football to join the new club in their first season in 2024, de Vries has come to epitomise what the reigning Premiers are about.
De Vries has been steadfast at the back and reliably accurate with his crosses into the box, for the side which will bring up 50 games in the A-League against Macarthur FC in front of their home fans on Saturday.
For two seasons de Vries has started every game.
Last season he played 2206 minutes during the regular season, getting subbed off for a total of 134 minutes.
In the finals, he was only on the bench for the last 10 minutes of the away semi-final when Auckland had the lead. The following week he played the full 90 minutes in the loss at home that ended the season earlier than expected.
This season he is on 1890 minutes from the 21 games played so far with coach Steve Corica not once subbing him.
He has played with a bandaged head after a tangle of bodies against Melbourne City in January and has captained the side from kick-off four times this season. Including taking the armband in November when he had only arrived back in the country in the early hours of Friday morning from All Whites duty in the United States and playing for Auckland at 3pm on the Sunday.
Corica has called the 31-year-old “very durable” and has enjoyed witnessing de Vries’ progression over his first 49 A-League games.
“You can see the qualities that he has, but he’s come a long way, I think, in two years,” Corica said.
“Obviously, 50 games is a small milestone for us as a club, which is great, and he’s the first player to hit it, full credit to him. He’s got a World Cup to look forward to as well, but for us we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
Auckland FC manager Steve Corica speaks to Francis de Vries (L) and Nando Pijnaker.photosport
De Vries credited “consistency and habits” for keeping him ready to go every time he is called on.
“Early bedtime, that’s non-negotiable, and then good social life outside of football, lots of support from family,” de Vries said.
“Just enjoy the routines of keeping yourself fit, it’s nice to go outside and stretch for 10 minutes, well, it’s not nice going on the ice bath, but it feels good afterwards.
“Just these things compound over time and if you can stick with a good, solid routine, you’re in a good spot.”
Before Auckland FC came calling de Vries was playing for local side Eastern Suburbs. Prior to that he was playing semi-professionally in Sweden until an ACL injury put a pause on his playing career.
Spending months out of football rehabbing the injury and wondering if he would ever get another professional contract meant de Vries does not take his latest playing streak for granted.
“Some games obviously cramp up a bit towards the end. But [being a hard worker] it’s part of how I want to be as a player, and I’m glad I’m able to do it for the team here.
“There’s lots of other boys that work just as hard, so I think it’s a whole team identity thing, and it’s nice to just be a part of.”
Francis de Vries playing for the All Whites.Adam Nurkiewicz / www.photosport.nz
De Vries’ parents are also key to this journey for him. He said they were all encouragement and no sideline coaching when it came to the regular game day messaging when the centre-back is playing for Auckland or New Zealand.
“Dad’s got his routine in the morning, he’ll send me a message and it’s always lovely to see, and then I call them straight after the game.
“So it’s just lovely to share those moments. I think that’s what football can bring, that connection.
“They’re stoked to watch me play because I spent seven, eight years overseas, so they watched maybe two games live in that time and it was bad hours for New Zealand with the time difference, so it feels great to be able to share that with them.”
Auckland FC are one point behind league-leaders Newcastle Jets with five games left in the regular season and the race for the Premiers Plate.
Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a corner kick.Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Auckland are on a six-game unbeaten run and in a quirk of the draw play the same five opposition sides as the Jets in their remaining games.
“I like that we’re playing the same teams, whoever wins the Premiership will deserve it, I think, because they’re playing five top teams as well, just below us, all fighting for the top six,” Corica said.
“We’re one point behind, can’t really afford to drop too many points in these last five games.
“I do keep an eye on [the Jets], obviously, they’ve got a big game against Sydney as well, who came off a loss on the weekend. They’re trying to get as high as possible as well, so it’s going to be exciting.”
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Dilworth’s redress programme began in 2023, with 261 survivors having accepted and settled their applications for redress by the end of 2025.RNZ / Dan Cook
Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse.
A Dilworth survivor says a $90,000 redress offer is insultingly small.
Hector, whose real name RNZ cannot use, was a school boy when he was abused by Dilworth housemaster Alister Harlow in the 1990s.
Harlow was sentenced in 2022 on charges of attempted sexual violation, indecency with a boy, and indecent assault.
Since then Hector has gone through the redress process, which he described as degrading, and he wanted to know whether anyone would take responsibility for what had been done to him.
When Hector was offered the redress, more than 30 years after being abused, he felt marginalised.
“I’ve always known that the redress programme from Dilworth was a face-saving exercise,” he said.
“I’ve heard from other guys that have gone through the process that the wording in the redress offers is not a genuine apology, no one from Dilworth has or is going to take responsibility for what happened to me and others.”
He was unsure whether or not to take the money.
“No amount of money is going to make up for what happened, but it does seem insultingly small considering how much it affected my life, that Dilworth has known about what has happened to me since at least 1996.”
Hector said he was not told how the compensation panel arrived at the $90,000 figure, but the offer was essentially take it or leave it.
The whole process had been humiliating and degrading, he said.
“I have told my story to lawyers, judges, police officers, journalists. But the thing that really pissed me off and made me really angry was that I had to go to talk to three strangers and let them put a monetary value on it, on my trauma – and they thought it was worth very little.
“It’s possibly the angriest I’ve been over this whole process.”
Dilworth’s redress programme began in 2023, with 261 survivors having accepted and settled their applications for redress by the end of 2025.
The school said financial redress offers were not in themselves apologies, but survivors could receive a direct apology from the school or trust when they receive one.
Alister Harlow was sentenced in 2022 on charges of attempted sexual violation, indecency with a boy, and indecent assault.RNZ / Dan Cook
The school said many had done that, while others had declined the offer.
Board chair Jonathan Mason said in a statement the school understood the impact the abuse had and continues to have on survivors and that no amount of redress can make up for what happened and the harm it has caused.
“Dilworth’s response has been to front up and acknowledge what happened to survivors of abuse at the School, to sincerely apologise to those who were impacted including their families, and to assist survivors of abuse to access the redress programme and other support services,” he said.
“The redress programme’s independence from Dilworth is a critical feature of the programme, with the independent redress panel assessing claims brought forward by survivors and its expert determinations binding on Dilworth.”
The terms of reference for the programme stated any level of financial redress would have regard to the nature and extent of abuse suffered by the survivor, as well as the impact it had, the survivors vulnerability, the degree of failure from Dilworth, and any aggravating factors.
Neil Harding was another Dilworth survivor and advocated for others. He raised concerns about the consistency of the redress process.
“There’s 300 guys at least going through the process, what are they doing to determine consistency between the first guy and the 300th,” he asked.
There were others who had not accepted offers, Harding said.
“From my perspective, compensation is part of the process.”
“In terms of redress, you’re looking at recognition that it happened, remorse that it happened, putting in place policies to stop it happening again, recompense, and then restitution is the restoration of mana,” he said.
“It’s actually a journey, and the financial compensation is just one part of that.”
Harding believed the process was wrong.
“They have failed to budge and failed to listen at any step of the way.”
The redress panel operated independently of Dilworth.
The maximum amount of financial redress awarded to any survivor is $200,000 or $300,000 in exceptional circumstances.
Where to get help
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Federated Farmers say today’s announcement of a $4 million rural wellbeing fund will be an absolute game changer for rural mental health and wellbeing.
“This funding will do so much good for rural New Zealand and help a lot of people who need it,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“There are some amazing organisations out there doing great work in our communities, but there have been real issues with central coordination and longer-term certainty of funding.
“Full credit goes to the Government. They’ve recognised there’s a need and have really stepped up to partner with those existing grassroots organisations, providing financial support.”
Langford says it’s no secret that mental health is a major issue for farmers and rural communities, with many factors contributing to that.
“Living in more remote communities, limited digital connectivity, reduced access to mental health services and healthcare, and the day-to-day stresses and pressures of farming all play a role.
“We’ve been aware of these challenges for a long time now, and a lot of different initiatives have popped up to meet a real need in our rural communities.
“It’s great to see the Government recognise that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel or develop their own programmes for rural New Zealand, run centrally out of Wellington.
“Instead, they’re partnering with well-established and highly credible grassroots organisations, like Surfing for Farmers and Farmstrong, which are already out there making a big difference.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season for North Waikato from 4pm Thursday 19 March until further notice.
During a restricted fire season people wanting to light outdoor fires must apply to Fire and Emergency for a permit and have it approved.
The North Waikato zone includes the Waikato, Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Waipa, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo territorial authorities, and Hamilton City.
Announcing the fire season change District Manager Daryl Trim says drier conditions during late summer and early autumn have triggered the change.
“Despite regular rainfall, the fire risk in North Waikato is increasing,” Daryl Trim says.
“We’ve had an increase in the number of vegetation fires including several large fires.
“While these have been controlled and extinguished, we anticipate fhese fires will likely become more frequent.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns,” he says.
“A restricted season will reduce the risk to persons and property.”
The Thames-Coromandel District remains in a restricted fire season.
Go towww.checkitsalright.nzfor full details of the fire season status and what activities are restricted or banned.
HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 – Southern Vietnam consistently stands out as one of the country’s most dynamic gateways for international travelers. Anchored by Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic and financial nucleus, this region benefits from year-round tropical weather and a richly diverse marine ecosystem, positioning it as a natural tourism hub.
In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest visitor volume nationwide, welcoming over 53.5 million arrivals, including approximately 8.5 million international tourists. Yet, a persistent paradox remains. Despite its status as the country’s primary entry point, the city largely functions as a transit node rather than a destination where visitors choose to linger. Many travelers stay only briefly before continuing to established coastal destinations such as Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, or Phan Thiet.
Ho Chi Minh City has yet to fully evolve into a tourism ecosystem capable of sustaining extended stays. The limitation is not solely due to the absence of large-scale, destination-defining developments, but also stems from a more fundamental constraint, connectivity infrastructure. For years, the southern region’s interprovincial transport network has developed unevenly, resulting in prolonged travel times and overreliance on a limited number of arterial routes.
That landscape, however, is entering a period of inflection.
A new wave of infrastructure investment – arguably the most extensive in the region’s history – is being deployed, with Can Gio at its epicenter. The convergence of strategic transport corridors is not only reducing travel friction between economic and tourism centers, but also unlocking the long-overlooked potential of Can Gio, gradually reshaping the broader economic and tourism geography of southern Vietnam.
The city’s long-term vision positions Can Gio as a new growth pole, with projected capacity to attract approximately 40 million visitors annually. This ambition contributes to Vietnam’s national target of welcoming 30-35 million international tourists and 160-180 million domestic travelers by 2030.
A 40-Million-Visitor Hub and the Transformation of Southern Tourism
Historically, Can Gio has been recognized as the “green lung” of Ho Chi Minh City, home to a vast mangrove ecosystem and a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve spanning approximately 75,000 hectares. Under a new development vision, the district is gradually repositioning itself as “Saigon’s seaside”, a large-scale coastal tourism center located just beyond a metropolitan population of over 10 million.
A series of major infrastructure projects is now converging to redefine Can Gio’s accessibility. For the first time, the area will benefit from a multi-layered transport network, effectively dismantling the geographic isolation that has persisted for decades.
On the aviation axis, Can Gio will connect directly to Long Thanh International Airport, designed to handle up to 100 million passengers annually, via Rung Sac Road and the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway.
On the urban rail axis, the Ben Thanh – Can Gio metro line, expected to commence operations in Q3 2028, will reduce travel time from the city center to the coast to just 13 minutes, shorter than a typical coffee break, effectively integrating Can Gio into the daily living, working, and leisure radius of both residents and visitors.
On the road network, the Can Gio Bridge, scheduled for completion in 2029, will replace the existing Binh Khanh ferry and establish seamless connectivity with regional expressways, embedding Can Gio into both domestic and international logistics networks.
Meanwhile, the Can Gio – Vung Tau sea-crossing route, targeted for completion in early 2029, will open a new coastal tourism corridor, enabling Can Gio to capture a share of the more than 18 million annual visitors currently traveling to Vung Tau.
Complementing this infrastructure backbone, the emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise is widely viewed as a catalytic force, one capable of activating a new “southern economic and tourism super-map.”
Conceived as an ESG mega-urban development, the project is designed not only to deliver integrated hospitality, entertainment, and lifestyle offerings, but also to function as a central gateway and distribution hub for regional tourist flows.
A True ‘Must-play’ Destination
Commenting on the Vinhomes Green Paradise project in Can Gio, Mike Gorman, Senior Project Architect at RTJ II Golf Course Architects, remarked: “This is going to be completely unique to Vietnam. It will become something people from around the world travel to experience,a true ‘must-play’ destination.”
Its large-scale, experience-driven ecosystem includes: VinWonders Can Gio, envisioned as one of the region’s leading entertainment complexes; two international-standard 18-hole golf courses; a network of 5–6 star hotels and boutique properties totaling nearly 7,000 rooms; the 7-hectare Song Xanh Theater; a five-star Vinmec hospital in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic (USA); and Vin New Horizon, a senior living urban model. This diversified offering enables year-round operations, catering to a wide spectrum of visitor demographics and preferences.
Vinhomes Green Paradise has been conceptualized to align with evolving tourism trends, urban utility integration, and experiential demand, while leveraging Can Gio’s ecological assets to create distinctive, place-based experiences for both visitors and residents. Among hundreds of global participant, Vinhomes Green Paradise has been selected as the first official participant in the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign organized by New7Wonders. Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders and President of the campaign, described the project as a compelling model for the concept of a future city, where progress is measured by quality of living across generations.
From an investment perspective, the formation of this “southern economic and tourism super-map” signals not only expanded headroom for the tourism sector, but also the influx of capital and the prospect of sustained real estate value appreciation.
For context, Singapore welcomed approximately 16.5 million international visitors in 2025, generating around SGD 29 billion (equivalent to USD 22.6 billion) in tourism revenue. Against this benchmark, Can Gio’s target of 40 million annual visitors serves as a foundation for long-term asset value growth, as the area evolves into a leading coastal economic and tourism urban center in Vietnam and the wider region.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has acknowledged a “big shift” in the government’s messaging around the war in the Middle East, warning New Zealanders the fuel situation could get worse before it gets better.
Speaking at a media conference at Parliament on Thursday, Luxon said it had become clear the conflict would have ongoing effects on supply chains, even “in the unlikely event” it was resolved tomorrow.
“Hope is not a plan,” he said. “And so we are preparing for the worst-case scenario where the conflict is prolonged.”
Luxon said ministers, officials and industry were all keenly focused on the next eight to 12-weeks.
“New Zealand has sufficient fuel supplies. But I do want to be straight with New Zealanders: things could get worse before they actually get better. And [as] a responsible government, we need to take a prudent response and be very prepared.”
Standing alongside him, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she wanted to reassure New Zealanders the government was taking the situation seriously in case future fuel supplies were disrupted.
“We live in challenging times,” she said. “We’re not just sitting back and saying, well, the fuel supplies are fine now. They are fine now… but we are actively preparing for scenarios where they are disrupted in future.”While the tone of the media conference was sharper than previous ones, the substance of the government’s plan remained largely as outlined earlier in the week.
That included engaging with other countries around accessing refined fuel and keeping in close contact with fuel companies to stay on top of any challenges.
Willis said she would provide an update next week on the steps which could be taken at each level of the National Fuel Plan, but stressed no escalation was required right now given the country had seven weeks’ worth of fuel either in the country or on its way.
Officials would soon begin giving public updates on the country’s fuel levels twice a week, up from just once a week now.
Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as petrol prices rises amid fears of rapidly jumping prices and potential shortages.
On Thursday, New World’s Levin station had no 91 or diesel. The local Z also had no diesel but was expecting some after midnight.
Willis said that was being driven by the individual fuel companies’ logistics and distribution, not by a national fuel shortages.
“They have sufficient supplies in the country to replenish their stocks and petrol stations. So they will be able to do that.
“But when people are buying more petrol, then they go through more at the petrol station than is normally the case. They are working to ensure that their logistics, their distribution, is working as effectively as possible.”
Regarding potential cost-of-living support, Willis said she had instructed Inland Revenue and Treasury to work on some options relating to the “tax and transfer system”.
But she stressed the government would not be able to allievate all of the cost pressures.
“We have to be careful not to raise an expectation that we will be able to blunt all of the pain that is occurring for people across the world because of the conflict in the Middle East.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
A major transport upgrade for the Western Bay of Plenty has received Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.
NZTA lodged its application in August 2025 to build about 7.7 kilometres of new highway in the Bay of Plenty.
“Approval has taken just five months following the commencement of the expert panel,” says Mr Bishop.
“The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis.
“The Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Road of National Significance will be a four lane, median-divided highway between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, improving safety and reliability on one of the region’s busiest routes.
“Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is now four years into construction, with major structures largely complete. All bridge construction is scheduled to finish in 2026, and the project is expected to be fully completed in 2028.
“The new road will provide a safer and more reliable trip between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, supporting regional growth and productivity. It will improve travel times for all transport modes and enhanced reliability and safety for commuters.
“NZTA estimates the project could deliver around $610 million in economic output for the Bay of Plenty region and provide more than 4,800 jobs over the development period.
“It’s part of the Government’s work to ensure New Zealand has a credible pipeline of high value infrastructure projects extending into the future, and that they’re ready to go as funding becomes available.
“This is the 14th project approved through the Fast-track process and the first roading project.”
149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
46 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
34 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
On average, it has taken 128 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
Arataki[Housing/Land]
Homestead Bay[Housing/Land]
Sunfield [Housing/Land]
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
Agreement with the Singapore digital media platform reinforces Media OutReach Newswire’s role as the leading global newswire for Asia Pacific
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first and only global newswire, has entered into a strategic content partnership with AsiaOne, one of Singapore’s most prominent digital media platforms.
This partnership means that Media OutReach Newswire will be the first newswire to provide guaranteed online news posting on the AsiaOne website. The collaboration further solidifies Media OutReach Newswire’s status as the only global newswire offering guaranteed online news posting on two leading digital media platforms, AsiaOne and CNA, for all Singapore press release distributions.
The partnership follows recent high-profile collaborations with the Asia News Network (ANN), the consortium of leading Asia Pacific news media, and CNA – marking a period of rapid strategic growth. Once again, a leading media outlet has chosen to launch their partnership with Media OutReach before any other newswire, which demonstrates the deep trust it has earned within the global media ecosystem.
With this addition, Media OutReach Newswire’s Singapore distribution now guarantees online news posting on trusted news platforms AsiaOne, CNA, MoneyFM89.3 and Vulcan Post, as well as influential lifestyle media like Alvinology, Asia Journeys and SuperAdrianMe. This is alongside Asia News Network (ANN), a grouping of 20 leading news sites across Asia Pacific.
Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: “We are pleased to announce this partnership with AsiaOne, a digital news pioneer that has been a trusted voice in Singapore for 30 years. As the first global newswire they have chosen to partner with, this collaboration reflects the high level of credibility we have built. Together with our existing partnerships with CNA and ANN, this reaffirms Media OutReach Newswire’s role as the definitive global newswire for Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the wider Asia Pacific region.”
Media OutReach Newswire remains the only global newswire that guarantees online news posting exclusively on trusted, authentic media sites. This guaranteed presence on authoritative news sites like AsiaOne, with its high domain trust and over 5.5 million* monthly visits, provides brands with a significant boost in AI discoverability in SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This ensures that client news is not only seen by human readers but is also accurately surfaced and cited by AI-generated answers from leading Large Language Models (LLMs).
As the leading global newswire for Asia Pacific, Media OutReach Newswire is trusted by Asian corporations, SMEs, and government agencies to distribute their news globally. In addition to offering the most extensive distribution network and guaranteed news visibility, the newswire owns a proprietary international journalist database. This provides a robust global news reach spanning the Asia Pacific, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Its total communications solutions empower strategic communicators and PR professionals to demonstrate tangible success through targeted news distribution and direct journalist access, as well as ready-to-use reporting and campaign intelligence with ROI designed for C-suite presentations.
*Source: Similarweb
Hashtag: #MediaOutReachNewswire
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as petrol prices rises amid fears of rapidly jumping prices 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.
New Zealand Police is pleased to see levels of trust and confidence remain stable at 69% after a significant increase in 2024. Improvements in several indicators show that New Zealanders have high confidence in effectiveness of Police in the latest component of the annual Ministry of Justice New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS).
The Police Module, which measures the public’s perceptions, experiences, and views about New Zealand Police, saw public trust and confidence in Police remain at 69% between October 2024 and October 2025.
Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park says maintaining trust and confidence within our communities is a constant priority for New Zealand Police, and whilst it is encouraging to see several improvements, there is always more work to be done.
Key findings from the Police Module saw:
Almost three quarters (74%) of New Zealanders agree that Police deal effectively with serious crime. This was a significant increase from 70% in 2024. The proportion of those who disagreed also decreased from 11% to 9%.
The proportion of New Zealanders who agree that Police concentrate efforts to deal with harmful crimes significantly increased from 70% in 2024 to 73% in 2025.
The proportion of New Zealanders who agree that Police provide effective support for emergency management significantly increased from 77% to 81% and the proportion of those who disagreed decreased from 7% to 4%.
Three quarters (75%) of New Zealanders agreed that Police deal effectively with road safety. This was a significant increase from 72% in 2024.
Disagreement that Police have a suitable presence in the community significantly decrease from 23% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 20% in 2025.
Disagreement that Police staff reflect the diversity of all people in New Zealand significantly decrease from 9% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 7% in 2025.
Disagreement that the work Police do with schools, business, families and communities prevents more crime significantly decrease from 16% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 13% in 2025.
“These numbers are the direct result of the hard work our staff put in everyday when dealing with victims of crime,” Assistant Commissioner Park says.
“They are dedicated in serving our communities through timely and responsive policing, improving public safety by being visible and accessible and committed to strengthening trust and confidence through connection with communities.
“While these results are encouraging, there is always more work to do. We would like to see these numbers increase as we want to have the trust and confidence of all New Zealanders.
“This survey has also given us sufficient data to assess areas where we need to continue to improve.
“Our responsiveness to community needs is one area for consideration. This measure has remained static since the introduction of the Police Module, and it is something we would want to see improving over time.
“Police continue to work hard in the areas that ensure safety and responsiveness and with the highest number of FTE constables in history at 10,497 we aim to make a difference in deterring crime, enforcing the law and increasing feelings of public safety.”
About the NZCVS
The NZCVS was introduced in 2018 and aims to survey around 8000 New Zealanders. The total number of responses for this round was 8008.
The report is based on data collected between October 2024 and October 2025. The Police Module was introduced in 2021 and provides a credible source of information that can shape and direct future decisions within New Zealand Police, with the intention of building greater trust and confidence in Police by communities.
Find out more here about the wider Ministry of Justice NZCVS findings MoJ overall findings and a helpful infographic of the Police Module here.
Fewer people are becoming victims of crime in New Zealand, according to new data published today.
The latest results from the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) show that in the eight years to 2025, the proportion of victims of crime has dropped from 30% in 2018 to 28% in 2025.
The number of victims in 2025 equates to 1.2 million adults.
“This is the lowest level of people experiencing crime since the NZCVS began in 2018. The result was driven by drops in both personal and household offences,” says Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights, Rebecca Parish.
For the first time since the NZCVS began, the proportion of adults who were victims of interpersonal violence fell significantly below 2018 levels – five percent in 2025 compared to seven percent in 2018.
Burglary was experienced by nine percent of households (184,000) – also a significantly lower rate than in 2018 (12 percent or 210,000 households).
Other household offences, such as trespass and vehicle-related offences, were also at their lowest levels since the survey began.
The proportion of adults who were victims of fraud and cybercrime has been on a downward trend since peaking in 2022, though it remains significantly higher at 10 percent (440,000) in 2025 compared to eight percent in 2018.
The proportion of adults who were victims of violent offences was significantly lower in 2025 (three percent) than in both 2024 and 2018 (four percent).
“While these results are positive, we are also mindful that behind each statistic is a real person, some of whom have experienced crime and victimisation, and assisted us by providing valuable insights through their responses,” Ms Parish says.
Today’s results are for the whole of the NZCVS, while data released in February focused on violent crime. This showed there were 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 than two years previously.