Category: LiveNews

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Education – ERO issuing new school reports from Term 2, focused on providing clarity for parents to understand their school performance

Source: Education Review Office

The Education Review Office (ERO) is overhauling their school review reports to better enable parents and whānau to understand school performance and engage in their child’s learning.
ERO Chief Review Officer Ruth Shinoda said the new reports will lift standards of education by providing parents with clear, useful and accessible information about schools in the areas that matter most to their child’s education.
“We wanted to make sure that parents and whānau can easily understand our reports, so they are empowered to ask good questions, make good choices, and get involved in their child’s education,” says Ms Shinoda.
“We talked to parents all over the country, and they told us that our reports needed to change – that they need better, clearer information about school quality. We heard them and have overhauled our school reports, making them much easier to understand. Crucially, they are more sharply focused on the things that make the biggest difference to learner success and wellbeing – including attendance, progress, achievement and assessment.”
The new reports also have an increased focus on progress – celebrating where schools are doing well in lifting student outcomes.
“Parents and whānau will be able to clearly see what’s working well in a school, and what needs attention – and they will be able to see the clear pathway for schools to follow to lift student outcomes. Equally, the reports are a critical document for school leaders – so they know what to focus on to lift student success,” says Ms Shinoda.
Alongside an easy-to-understand picture of how well the school is doing for parents, the new reports provide a clear roadmap for improvement focusing on the key things that will make the most difference for students. This will enable schools to make changes and get the support they need in a transparent way. The reports will also celebrate progress schools have made.
“Every day, our specialist reviewers are in schools across the country, evaluating school performance and providing guidance on improving schooling practices – focusing on what makes a school great for students,” says Ms Shinoda.
“Ultimately these changes will drive improvement for education for every learner in New Zealand. They will enable parents and whānau to engage more effectively in their child’s education and be informed on how well their school is doing. They will also support schools with clear actions for every school, so that school leaders can pay attention to shifting what matters most.”
ERO reviewers will begin using the new report format for all schools – primary, intermediate and secondary – in Term 2 this year.
Notes
  • ERO is the New Zealand government’s external evaluation agency for the education system. ERO carries out independent, in-depth reviews of different aspects of New Zealand’s schools, early learning services, and Kaupapa Māori education settings.
  • ERO reports on schools approximately every three to four years. In 2024/25, ERO reported on 745 schools and kura (30% of all schools and kura).
  • The new report has three parts: a full report, with judgements on 14 domains (or 16, if the school has bilingual Māori provision) and recommended next steps so schools know exactly what to work on; a summary overview, providing parents and whānau with an “at a glance” understanding of school’s performance; and a visual snapshot of the school’s quality across domains.
  • ERO’s reports are written following a formal ERO review, which includes visits to the school. Reports are published on ERO’s website for parents, whānau and the community to access. The new reports have been developed through extensive feedback from school leaders, parents and whānau, helping shape the final format.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/education-ero-issuing-new-school-reports-from-term-2-focused-on-providing-clarity-for-parents-to-understand-their-school-performance/

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Pharmac seeks feedback to make access to medicines clearer and simpler for people with exceptional clinical circumstances

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is reviewing its Exceptional Circumstances Framework (the Framework) after people told us it is hard to understand and needs to work better.

The Framework is used when a person’s clinical situation is unusual or complex and existing funded medicines or standard funding rules are not suitable. In these cases, Pharmac can consider funding a medicine for an individual through pathways such as the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) or Special Authority waivers.

“Most medicines are funded for groups of people, but sometimes someone’s medical situation doesn’t fit the standard pathway,” says Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals Adrienne Martin. “This framework exists to make sure people with exceptional clinical needs can still be considered for access to funded treatment options.”

Pharmac says it has heard from patients, their families, clinicians, and others that the current process can be difficult to understand and navigate. Feedback has highlighted confusion about when it applies, what counts as ‘exceptional’, how decisions are made, and how outcomes are communicated.

“The framework is doing an important job, but people have told us it isn’t always clear or easy to use,” Martin says. “We want to make it easier to understand, faster to use, and more transparent, to make sure it works better for the people who rely on it.”

The review will look at the framework’s principles, criteria, and decision‑making processes, and will take a two‑stage approach, beginning with feedback on the current Framework with release of a discussion document, and followed by a second consultation later in the year on possible changes.

“Nothing will change before the review is complete, the application process will continue as usual, and new applications are still welcome,” Martin says. “Anyone who already has funding through this framework will keep their current approval.”

More information about the review and how to provide feedback is available on Pharmac’s website.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/pharmac-seeks-feedback-to-make-access-to-medicines-clearer-and-simpler-for-people-with-exceptional-clinical-circumstances/

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Wattie’s NZ’s proposed cuts ‘a really big blow’ to seed, arable growers

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Wattie’s factory in Christchurch. Nathan McKinnon / RNZ

Wattie’s New Zealand’s proposal to stop producing frozen vegetables is expected to impact the country’s already-hurting vegetable growers and seed producers.

The seed industry was taking stock of what last week’s announcement by one of the country’s largest food producers, would mean for growers.

A well-known packet of Wattie’s frozen mixed vegetables of peas, carrots and corn for example, perhaps no more under new proposals.

Phased closures were also being proposed at its food factories in Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and its packing facility in Hastings.

Around 350 mostly full-time roles would be impacted, including vegetable growers – around 220 of them in Canterbury alone.

Heinz Wattie’s previously said the decision was not taken lightly, but was a necessary step to position the company for the future.

Industry group Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive, Sarah Clark said if Wattie’s stopped contracting vegetables from the region, farmers would lose income from both the crop and the seed.

“The Wattie’s proposal is a really big blow for the arable sector as a whole,” she said.

“Several of our members supply pea seeds for sowing to Wattie’s, so the direct impact to our members, the seed companies, of their proposal is that there’ll be less demand for pea seed, and that in turn means fewer contracts for the farmers, the people who are growing those pea seed crops.”

Clark said the decision was “probably a kick in the guts” for growers, after such a tough season marred by wet weather causing root disease.

She said this was worsened by the rapidly increasing cost of fuel and fertiliser, due to the war in the Middle East.

“The sector’s having a tough time anyway.”

Clark said there were other pea varieties farmers could incorporate into their crop rotation to plug the pea gap.

“Farmers will be hit with a difficult decision about how they maintain their other crop rotations, without either the fresh pea crop that they had growing peas for Wattie’s or the crop of peas for seed production.

“So yeah, it’s a bit of a double whammy for the farmers, unfortunately.”

Heinz Wattie’s previously said the decision was not taken lightly, but was a necessary. 123rf

Growers facing uncertainty

Key vegetable growing region Canterbury was also a seed powerhouse, producing more than half the world’s supply of hybrid radish and 40 percent of the global carrot seed supply, exporting to more than 60 countries.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott said growers supplying Wattie’s now faced a great deal of uncertainty.

“This is tough news for the New Zealand vegetable sector and for the consumers who rely on locally grown and processed food,” she said.

“While we recognise this is a decision made within a global business, the consequences are very real here at home.”

Scott said growers could not keep producing crops without reliable markets for them, which over time would result in fewer vegetables being grown and processed in New Zealand.

“That would be a concerning direction for New Zealand. In a world where supply chains are increasingly disrupted and freight costs fluctuate; it makes sense to maintain strong domestic food production.”

Consultation on Wattie’s proposals will close next Wednesday on March 25th.

New proposals follow earlier cuts to crops

The company owned by American food giant Kraft Heinz decided to slash some of its crop intake following a review last year, impacting canned peach production, and corn, beetroot, tomatoes.

Wattie’s New Zealand corn from Hawke’s Bay. RNZ/Monique Steele

In recent years, the company made complaints about reports of cheaper imports being dumped into the New Zealand market to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

MBIE carried out a number of investigations over the past decade into dumping claims of various products, including peach products from countries like Greece, Spain, South Africa and China, and potato fries.

Investigations could result in duties being applied, which happened for preserved peaches from Spain in 2022 and canned peaches from Greece in 2021, among others.

Owner Kraft Heinz also recently rolled back earlier proposals to split up the business, which it told RNZ in September was unrelated to the decision to reduce peach production.

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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/2026/03/17/watties-nzs-proposed-cuts-a-really-big-blow-to-seed-arable-growers/

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NZ, Samoa vow to combat flow of drugs through Pacific ‘super highway’

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand and Samoa have vowed to do more to combat the flow of drugs through the Pacific, which prime minister Christopher Luxon says has become a “super highway”.

Luxon and his Samoan counterpart La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt have signed memorandums of understanding for Police and Customs to work together and share more information.

The agreement would see dedicated New Zealand Police officers embedded in Samoa.

Both Luxon and La’auli were under no illusions as to the challenges the Pacific faced.

Prime minister Christopher Luxon in Samoa. RNZ / Giles Dexter

“We have recognised that border risk … the fast paced problem of illegal drugs crossing our borders is on the rise,” La’aulialemalietoa said.

“We’re up against it. We’re up against crime families in South America that are doing extraordinary things now to send drugs into our region,” Luxon said.

“And actually, the border and the security is the Pacific. It’s not just the New Zealand border alone as well. So it’s very important that we work together.”

Later, Luxon watched a demonstration of a drug seizure by two detector dogs donated by New Zealand, as part of the Pacific Drug Detector Dog Programme.

A combined effort to combat transnational crime is something Luxon would be bringing with him to Tonga on Tuesday afternoon, as he flew in for a meeting with prime minister Lord Fatefehi Fakafanua.

But Luxon said he was also keen to talk energy security, and was preparing to discuss how officials could work together in that space as well.

It was likely the calls for visa waivers will follow Luxon to Nuku’alofa.

La’aulialemalietoa, community leaders, and Samoan media had all lobbied for Pacific visitors to be treated the same as those from 60 other countries, and be given visas on arrival.

But Luxon appeared unlikely to budge, for now.

“You see what happens around the world when immigration gets out of control, and it’s not legal and it’s not managed. We have, very much, a risk-based approach to it all. We’re trying to liberalise what we can do in the Pacific, and we’ll continue to look at it.”

Luxon would also be keen to put the matter of his matai title behind him as he left Samoa, after the Samoan government admitted neither Luxon nor any of his representatives had requested it.

Luxon said it was a “miscommunication”, and he had moved on, but would not say if Samoa’s government had apologised.

At a gala dinner on Monday evening, La’aulialemalietoa said the controversy was “nonsense” and advised Luxon to ignore it.

“Do not worry about the nonsense on Facebook. Let the village of Apia sort it out, and handle it with respect,” he said.

“It is normal for us here.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/nz-samoa-vow-to-combat-flow-of-drugs-through-pacific-super-highway/

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Research – 58% of Kiwi professionals are relocating this year – and for 65% of them, Australia is the first choice

Source: Robert Walters

Auckland, New Zealand – 17th March 2026 – Professional mobility across New Zealand is strengthening, with new research from Robert Walters revealing that 58% of New Zealand professionals are open to relocating for work in the next 12 months. As skills shortages intensify and career expectations rise, movement across the Tasman is accelerating: 65% of New Zealanders would relocate to Australia as their first choice.

The findings form part of the Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide, which surveyed more than 5,500 professionals across Australia and New Zealand.

Career and financial motivations dominate relocation decisions

Relocation, once associated primarily with lifestyle change, is now increasingly a strategic career move.

The top reasons New Zealand professionals are considering relocating include:

  • Higher salaries: 71%
  • Stronger career prospects: 65%
  • Improved lifestyle: 53%
  • Better work-life balance: 37%
  • Lower cost of living: 38% 

Relocation appetite is particularly strong among mid-career professionals seeking accelerated progression, with shorter average tenure (2–3 years) driving more frequent movement across industries and regions.

Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, said the data reflects a shift in professional decision‑making.

“These numbers highlight a clear shift in the mindset of Australian professionals. Relocation is no longer just about lifestyle, it’s increasingly a strategic career decision. Professionals are prioritising stronger career pathways – it’s evident that talent is actively looking for roles that accelerate their growth. Organisations that can offer opportunities, both domestically and overseas, will be best positioned to attract and retain talent.”

Skills shortages heighten mobility as employers brace for movement

New Zealand employers are already feeling the pressure, with 81% reporting skills shortages and 78% planning to hire in 2026.

At the same time, 43% expect to lose staff to relocation, and a further 18% believe relocation among their teams is likely in the coming year.

This mobility is reshaping workforce planning, particularly in major centres where competition for specialist talent – finance, technology, engineering, and compliance – is intensifying.

Employer challenges are compounded by a growing preference for clear growth pathways and stronger leadership, with work-life balance (64%), salary (62%), and positive culture (45%) now the top priorities for New Zealand talent.

Implications for employers in a cross‑Tasman talent marketplace

With two‑thirds of New Zealand professionals open to relocation, and Australia the preferred destination, employers are under increasing pressure to reinforce their retention strategies.

Robert Walters data shows that while salary remains a major driver, New Zealand workers place significant value on:

  • Work-life balance (64%)
  • Competitive salary & benefits (62%)
  • Positive company culture (45%)
  • Career development opportunities (34%)
  • Supportive leadership (37%) 

For employers, the implications are clear: competitive pay alone is no longer enough to retain talent in a high‑mobility market.

Peters said employers must act decisively to remain competitive.

“If mobility is increasing, retention becomes a value proposition question. Employees are telling us very clearly what matters – competitive pay, genuine flexibility and strong culture. Employers that fail to respond to those expectations will see talent move. Those that align their workforce strategy accordingly will hold a significant competitive advantage.”

About the Salary Guide
The Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide provides a comprehensive overview of hiring intentions, salary trends, skills shortages, and workforce mobility across Australia and New Zealand. With insights from more than 5,500 respondents, the guide shows how organisations and professionals are navigating a labour market shaped by cost‑of‑living pressures, technology adoption, and growing mobility.

About Robert Walters
With more than 3,100 people in 30 countries, Robert Walters delivers recruitment consultancy, staffing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services globally. From traditional recruitment and staffing to end‑to‑end talent solutions, our consultants match highly skilled people to permanent, contract and interim roles across all professional disciplines.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/16/research-58-of-kiwi-professionals-are-relocating-this-year-and-for-65-of-them-australia-is-the-first-choice/

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Tauranga School went in lockdown after reports of an armed person

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police say they’re continuing to make enquiries. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A Tauranga school was put into lockdown this morning after reports of someone with a weapon.

Police were called to Cameron Road at about 8.50am.

“A nearby school was advised to be placed into a lockdown, however this has since been stood down,” Police said.

“The person alleged to have a weapon was located, where Police found a knife in their possession, and taken into custody.”

Police say they’re continuing to make enquiries.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/tauranga-school-went-in-lockdown-after-reports-of-an-armed-person/

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COVID-19 and long COVID 2024/25: New Zealand Health Survey

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Publication date:

This page presents a summary of data from questions about COVID-19 and long COVID added to the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) in 2024/25. These questions asked adults aged 15 years and over if they had ever had a COVID-19 infection, and if they experienced any prolonged symptoms following that infection.

On this page

    …

Key findings

How to interpret the results

All data is self-reported

It is important to note that, as is the case for most survey data, the questions asked relied on respondents reporting their own experiences. This can lead to under or over-reporting, which can differ by demographic group. For example, individuals who had asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 and were unaware of the infection would likely not report ever having a COVID-19 infection. Some individuals may also have feelings of stigma around COVID-19 and are therefore less likely to report ever having an infection.

We recommend being mindful of this and exercising caution when interpreting the results, particularly for Pacific peoples.

In addition, there is currently no internationally agreed definition or diagnostic test for long COVID. Individuals’ responses will reflect their understanding of the symptoms that can be associated with long COVID, such as fatigue, poor concentration or memory, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. These symptoms can also be caused by, or affected by, other factors.

Finding more information

Information on the survey questions and indicator definitions used in this report, as well as information on survey methodology, technical information and a link to the questionnaire are available at the end of the page.

More information about prolonged symptoms attributable to infection with COVID-19 is available in the following evidence brief: Prolonged Symptoms Attributable to Infection with COVID-19. 

Read patient information about COVID-19 and long COVID on Health New Zealand’s website. 

Results

Nearly 4 out of 5 adults reported ever having COVID-19

New data from the 2024/25 NZHS shows that nearly 4 out of 5 (77.7%) adults reported ever having COVID-19, reflecting over 3.3 million people. 75.9% of all adults reported having a positive RAT or PCR test, while 1.8% of all adults said they believed they had had COVID-19 but did not get a positive test.

Women (79.8%) reported higher rates of ever having COVID-19 than men (75.5%). Rates were lower among Pacific adults (71.5%), Asian adults (71.2%), adults living in the most deprived neighbourhoods (70.7%), disabled adults (68.5%), and adults aged 65-years-and-over (64.4%).

About 1 in 11 of all adults reported ever having long COVID symptoms

Respondents who reported ever having COVID-19 were asked if they had experienced any symptoms lasting three months or longer that they did not have prior to having COVID-19, and were not explained by a different diagnosis. This was referred to as long COVID in the questionnaire.

Among the total population, about 1 in 11 adults (9.2% or 401,000 people) reported ever having long COVID symptoms. This represents 11.9% of adults who reported ever having COVID-19.

Further breakdowns about demographic groups ever having long COVID symptoms are available in the downloadable dataset below.

Women, Māori, and disabled adults were more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms

Women were more likely than men to report ever having COVID-19 and were also more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms. Among those who reported ever having COVID-19, about 1 in 7 women (14.9%) reported ever having long COVID symptoms, compared to about 1 in 12 men (8.5%).

This difference between men and women reflects different outcomes by age group. As shown in Figure 1 below, women under the age of 65 who reported ever having COVID-19 were more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms than men of the same age group.

Figure 1: Prevalence of reporting ever having long COVID symptoms among individuals who had ever had COVID-19, by gender and broad age group, 2024/25

Use arrow keys to navigate the key indicator items.

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Download


Download dataset


(csv, 173 bytes)

Māori adults were more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms after having COVID-19 compared to non-Māori adults. Among those who reported ever having COVID-19, approximately 1 in 6 Māori adults (15.5%) reported ever having long COVID symptoms, compared to approximately 1 in 9 non-Māori adults (11.3%).

Disabled adults were also more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms after having COVID-19 compared to non-disabled adults. Among those who reported ever having COVID-19, approximately 1 in 4 disabled adults (22.8%) reported ever having long COVID symptoms, compared to approximately 1 in 9 non-disabled adults (11.0%).

These figures only show associations between long COVID and disability rather than cause-and-effect relationships, and other factors may contribute to the differences. We cannot determine from the NZHS data alone whether the individual was disabled prior to developing long COVID or if their long COVID symptoms have resulted in a disability.

Approximately 185,000 adults were experiencing long COVID symptoms in 2024/25

Approximately 185,000 adults (4.3%) reported currently experiencing long COVID symptoms at the time they were interviewed in 2024/25. This reflects approximately 117,000 women (5.3%) and 67,000 men (3.1%).

Further breakdowns about demographic groups currently experiencing long COVID symptoms at the time of the 2024/25 survey are available in the downloadable dataset below. 

Among those who reported ever having long COVID symptoms, approximately half (48.5%) were still experiencing symptoms at the time they were interviewed in 2024/25.

Download the data

The downloadable dataset below contains aggregated data by gender, age, ethnic group, neighbourhood deprivation, disability status and health region. It also contains 95% confidence intervals and adjusted rate ratios.





COVID data table

(
xlsx,
61.2 KB
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Methodology and data notes

Questions used in this analysis

Please see the Questionnaires and Content Guide 2024/25 for the full questionnaire text.

Have you ever had COVID-19?

1. Yes, I had a positive RAT or PCR test

2. Yes, I believe I have had it but I didn’t get a positive test

3. No, I don’t think I’ve had COVID-19

.K Don’t know

.R Refused

Long-COVID is when symptoms that start during or after a COVID-19 infection continue for 3 months or longer and are not explained by a different diagnosis. The symptoms can change over time.

Did you have any symptoms lasting 3 months or longer that you did not have prior to having COVID-19?

1. Yes

2. No

.K Don’t know

.R Refused

Do you still have long-COVID symptoms?

1. Yes

2. No

.K Don’t know

.R Refused

Indicator definitions

These indicators reflect respondents’ self-reported experience. For more information see: All data is self-reported.

Ever had COVID-19 with a positive RAT or PCR test, among all adults (15+ years).

Believed they had COVID-19 but didn’t get a positive test, among all adults (15+ years).

Ever had COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected), among all adults (15+ years).

Ever had long COVID symptoms (ie, symptoms lasting three months or longer that they did not have prior to having COVID-19), among all adults (15+ years).

Ever had long COVID symptoms, among adults (15+ years) who ever had COVID-19.

Currently have long COVID symptoms, among all adults (15+ years).

Currently have long COVID symptoms, among adults (15+ years) who ever had long COVID symptoms.

Use of statistical significance

This page primarily focuses on differences that are statistically significant. However, it is important to note that for smaller population groups, such as Pacific peoples, larger differences between estimates are required to reach statistical significance.

For more information on the survey methodology and questions

Data for the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey was collected between July 2024 and July 2025. Questions on COVID-19 and long COVID were asked of adults aged 15 years and over, with a sample size of 9,253 adults.

Please see the Methodology Report 2024/25 for full details on survey design, sampling and weighting, fieldwork procedures, and confidence intervals.

Please see the Questionnaires and Content Guide 2024/25 for the full questionnaire text.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/covid-19-and-long-covid-2024-25-new-zealand-health-survey/

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What one changing suburb tells us

Source: Radio New Zealand

Residents of Blockhouse Bay in southwestern Auckland were dismayed to learn early last year that their local Woolworths supermarket was earmarked to close.

While the Donovan Street store wasn’t the largest supermarket in the area, many living nearby treated it as an extension of their household refrigerators, popping down to the neighbourhood hub on a near-daily basis to pick up grocery supplies.

Rumours started circulating that a large chemist chain had taken over the lease or, worse still, that the 2,200-square-metre site had been sold to developers who wanted to build a block of apartments on it.

So it was with some relief that locals learned the lease had been taken over by grocery chain Golden Apple, with plans to open a fully functional Asian supermarket in August this year.

Blockhouse Bay’s iconic Armanasco homestead was built in 1890 by Stefano Armanasco, an Italian who came to New Zealand in 1885 and bought several parcels of land in the area. RNZ / Yiting Lin

But the recent tenancy changes at the heart of the village in this quiet residential Auckland suburb represent more than just a straight retail swap from a mainstream supermarket giant to an emerging rival.

It mirrors Auckland’s wider demographic changes as an increasing number of residents claim Asian heritage.

‘Little sleepy village’

Eileen Rusden was born in Blockhouse Bay almost a century ago, living there with her parents until she was about 20 years old.

When the 93-year-old first started school in 1939, she recalled the area being a “little sleepy village”.

“When I was here, there were probably only about five shops in the village,” she said.

Eileen Rusden was born in Blockhouse Bay almost a century ago. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Rusden said her school classmates were overwhelmingly English-speaking, most of them being children of European settlers who had arrived in New Zealand in the 1920s.

She recalls Blockhouse Bay being a happy place to grow up.

However, she noticed the suburb beginning to change after she married and moved away in 1953.

“That was when the housing started after World War II,” Rusden said. “The big farms and large sections were developed, and I missed all of that. That was when the village got more shops.”

By the time she returned to Blockhouse Bay in 2001, it looked little like the suburb she had once known.

But as more families have moved in, new businesses opened and the area continued to grow, Rusden said she had come to value the suburb’s diversity.

“I think it’s marvellous,” she said. “You go into all the shops now and you get such a lovely welcome.”

The number of Asian families living in Blockhouse Bay had grown steadily over the past three decades. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Mary Marshall, president of the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society, was born and raised in Blockhouse Bay.

The 70-year-old has watched the suburb change over the decades.

Marshall’s parents were British immigrants who arrived in New Zealand in 1949 after World War II and settled in the suburb soon after.

“Blockhouse Bay was a very different place at that time,” Marshall said.

In pre-European times, the headland at Blockhouse Bay Beach was the site of a Māori pā.

Indeed, the rocky outcrop still known as Te Whau Point and is regarded as an important archaeological site today.

“It had become very much a place in the early half of the century where people would come for picnics,” Marshall said.

“They’d go down to the beach. Companies would hold their summer picnics there and do everything.”

Mary Marshall, president of the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society RNZ / Yiting Lin

Marshall’s parents ran a dairy in the area, one of the few businesses at the time.

After World War II, more houses went up and the local shopping strip began to expand, she said.

However, Marshall said most dramatic demographic shift occurred after Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China when a wave of migration from Asia changed the character of the suburb.

“You had all the British people coming through, obviously,” she said. “A lot of Chinese people immigrated to New Zealand, and the population changed tremendously then.”

A growing Asian population

Stats New Zealand’s 2023 Census showed that 3426 households resided in Blockhouse Bay.

The suburb’s estimated population in 2025 was 14,650.

The headland at Blockhouse Bay Beach was once the site of a Māori pā. Known as Te Whau Point, it remains an important archaeological site. RNZ / Yiting Lin

By ethnicity, 55.8 percent of Blockhouse Bay residents claimed Asian heritage.

Of those, 28 percent identified as Indian and 16.5 percent as Chinese.

European residents made up 33.5 percent of the local population, Pacific 10.9 percent and Māori 6.1 percent.

The figures sit within a broader shift across Auckland, where the proportion of individuals claiming Asian heritage is projected to make up 44 percent of the city’s population by 2043.

Krystene Vickers, a committee member of the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society who also lives in the suburb, said the local grocery store had always been the beating heart of the community.

Vickers, 63, said the first grocery store in Blockhouse Bay opened in 1949, when the local Winchcombe family converted its shop into a Four Square self-service store.

It remained the village’s main grocery destination until 1973, when Foodtown, a much larger supermarket chain, opened on the same site that will eventually be occupied by Golden Apple.

Foodtown operated in Blockhouse Bay during the 1980s and ’90s. Supplied / Sarah Trott

In a detail she described a fitting, Vickers said Foodtown’s rise also had connections to Auckland’s Chinese community.

Tom Ah Chee, an entrepreneur of Chinese descent from a successful family of produce merchants, helped establish the Foodtown chain across Auckland with several business partners.

Foodtown’s impact on Blockhouse Bay extended beyond being a place to shop.

Even after Blockhouse Bay Foodtown became a Countdown store in 2011, Vickers said the old name never quite disappeared.

“What’s funny is even with the rebranding over the years, staff pretty much remained the same,” she said.

“Our children grew up knowing them and often the kids worked stocking shelves … so it was very much part of the community as well.

“We never stopped calling it Foodtown,” she said.

Krystene Vickers holds a historic photograph of the yacht club house at Blockhouse Bay Beach. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Vickers agreed that Blockhouse Bay had been demographically diverse for several decades.

“Since I arrived [in 1989], that’s diversified out to much more encompass people from India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China and [South] Korea,” she said.

“It’s lovely. It’s just built this whole layer upon layer of culture and history that everyone brings.”

That diversity is now clearly visible in Blockhouse Bay’s town centre, where the mix of shopfronts reflects the suburb’s changing communities.

Blockhouse Bay Primary School was originally built in 1909. Although later relocated and modified, the original rooms are still in use today. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Stats New Zealand’s business data shows 1271 business locations in Blockhouse Bay in 2025.

Trevor Andrews, chairman of the Blockhouse Bay Business Association, said the local business landscape had shifted over time, expanding from an overwhelmingly European focus to include more Asian-run businesses, which he said had helped strengthen the community.

“It makes the community – the business community – a very vibrant community of different nationalities and different people,” Andrews said.

“Each business owner brings in its own different types of customers as well,” he said.

“We do get a lot of variety of people – a lot of different faces – coming to Blockhouse Bay.”

Shirley Browne, owner of Shirley’s in Blockhouse Bay RNZ / Yiting Lin

‘Feeling of belonging’

Shirley Browne, who has run a fashion store bearing her given name in Blockhouse Bay for more than three decades, said she had long been drawn to the suburb’s unique and calm character, even though she lived in nearby Titirangi.

Browne said she had built a loyal customer base over the years, and that getting to know newer Asian customers had also been rewarding.

“Some of the Asian people are a little bit more reserved perhaps,” she said.

“But in time they’ll smile and give you a wave and eventually come into the shop. So that’s been rewarding.”

Trevor Andrews (left) and Olwyn Andrews say the local business landscape has become more diverse, benefiting the wider community. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Olwyn Andrews, owner of Floriculture, has run her business in Blockhouse Bay village for more than five years.

The flower shop owner said the local commercial mix had shifted from retail toward more service-based businesses.

At the same time, changes in the suburb’s population have altered the rhythm of her work.

“We’re seeing a much broader demographic of people, and a lot of younger families moving in,” she said. “We’ve really watched our customer base change, and it’s been a good change.

“It’s good to learn about new cultures and their different preferences, including what they like and dislike in flowers.”

The original Blockhouse Bay Yacht Club on Te Whau Point, Blockhouse Bay Beach, in 1956. Supplied / Blockhouse Bay Historical Society Bill Glen Collection

Kevin He, branch manager at Ray White Blockhouse Bay, lived in the suburb for about 15 years before moving elsewhere.

He said the number of Asian families living in Blockhouse Bay had grown steadily since 2015.

“Our customer base is quite broad,” he said. “In terms of ethnicity, roughly 70 percent are of Asian descent, including Koreans, Chinese and Indians. Relatively speaking, about 30 percent are Chinese and 40 percent are Indian.”

Kevin He says the number of Asian families in Blockhouse Bay has grown steadily since 2015. RNZ / Yiting Lin

He said many new migrants chose Blockhouse Bay as a place to settle because the community offered a sense of belonging.

“You have the feeling of belonging here,” he said.

“In some areas, you might feel, ‘Oh, this place doesn’t have any Asian faces,’ and you might feel a bit lonely. But when you come to this area, you feel welcomed.”

Bharat Patel and his wife have run Domain Dairy for about 20 years in Blockhouse Bay.

The shop, built around 1927 by a landowner named Fowler, was the third in the area.

Patel said the dairy had been sustained by strong support from the local community.

“A lot of people from Asia are coming, Indians and Chinese too,” Patel said. “Some Pākehā have moved away. Still, people are good here. Pākehā customers support the dairy a lot.”

Bharat Patel and his wife have run Domain Dairy in Blockhouse Bay for about 20 years. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Although the dairy had changed hands many times, Patel said its place in the suburb’s collective memory had remained intact.

“Sometimes Pākehā people come here to visit and say, ‘When we were kids, we used to buy from this dairy,’” he said.

Patel is considering retiring next year.

But after roughly 35 years in New Zealand, he was proud to be carrying forward a business that had nearly 100 years of history.

Sailing boats are assembled at Blockhouse Bay Beach for race day in 1957. Supplied / Blockhouse Bay Historical Society Bill Glen Collection

Eleena Kujur, manager of Indian restaurant Ricksha, said she had found Blockhouse Bay a safe and welcoming place to live and work.

As a migrant, she said her relationship with customers often felt less like a transaction and more like friendship.

“We haven’t had any customers who don’t treat us like family,” she said. “They don’t even call the restaurant number. They call us directly and ask, ‘Can you book our table?’”

Eleena Kujur has found Blockhouse Bay a welcoming place to live and work. RNZ / Yiting Lin

‘It makes us richer’

After more than 13 years in the florist industry, including running flower shops in various parts of Auckland, Andrews said the changes in Blockhouse Bay reflected Auckland’s broader evolution as a more diverse city.

“I do think Auckland has become more diverse,” she said. “I’ve seen the change since I was a teenager at Lynfield College to where I am now.

“I do think it’s a good change. We learn so much from other people, from other cultures, from other walks of life. It makes us richer to have those experiences.”

Almost 56 percent of Blockhouse Bay residents claim Asian heritage. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Marshall agreed, saying the demographic changes were not confined to Blockhouse Bay but were visible across the country.

“New Zealand has been a land where immigrants came,” she said.

“Here have always been different waves of migrants that changed the ethnicity of the place and the diversity.

“All of those different groups of ethnicities brought new things with them.

“That’s what I think is fantastic about those changes and the diversity that comes through happening all over Auckland, all over New Zealand.”

Businesses in Blockhouse Bay have become more diversified over the years. RNZ / Yiting Lin

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/what-one-changing-suburb-tells-us/

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Why Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn skipped the ceremony

Source: Radio New Zealand

Film star Sean Penn stepped out of a train carriage in central Kyiv on Monday, thousands of miles away from the glitz of Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre where he had failed to turn up to receive his third acting Oscar hours earlier.

Penn, 65, won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in the political thriller One Battle After Another but skipped the ceremony to travel to meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in the war-battered capital.

Ukraine’s state railway operator posted a short video clip of Penn getting out of the train in the morning, saying it had kept his trip a secret until the very last moment.

“Now we can say it officially: Sean Penn chose Ukraine over the Oscars!” it said on its Facebook page.

Zelensky posted a picture of him meeting the actor in the presidential office in Kyiv’s barricaded government quarters.

The photo showed the black-clad president talking to Penn who was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. There were no immediate details on their conversation.

“Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is,” Zelensky wrote on the Telegram app.

“You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today,” Zelensky added.

Penn, a long-time advocate for Ukraine, has visited the country several times during the four-year war with Russia.

He filmed a documentary about Russia’s invasion that premiered in February 2023.

Penn also lent Zelensky, a former comedian and actor, one of his other Oscars in 2022.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/why-oscar-winning-actor-sean-penn-skipped-the-ceremony/

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Two people hospitalised after four-vehicle crash in Palmerston North

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two people are being taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Supplied / St John

Emergency services are at the scene of a four-vehicle crash in Palmerston North this morning.

The crash was reported at about 8.25am at the intersection of Rangitikei Line and Flygers Line in Cloverlea, police said.

Two people are being taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes while the scene is cleared.

But the road is expected to reopen shortly.

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Posted on

Missing Auckland woman found – police

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

A woman who went missing in Auckland has been located.

Police said the 65-year-old was last seen in Saint Johns on Monday.

Police have since said she has been located.

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Crash, Rangitikei Line, SH3, Cloverlea

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a four-vehicle crash in Cloverlea this morning.

The crash was reported about 8.25am, at the intersection of Rangitikei Line and Flygers Line. Two people are being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes while the scene is cleared, but the road is expected to reopen shortly. 

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/crash-rangitikei-line-sh3-cloverlea/

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More staff, extra beds as hospitals prepare for winter

Source: New Zealand Government

Health New Zealand will invest an additional $25 million to boost hospital capacity, increase staffing, and prepare the health system for higher demand over the busy winter months, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

The investment will deliver:

  • Up to an additional 378 full-time equivalent staff across the country to support meeting winter demands in our hospitals.
  • 71 extra winter hospital beds across key hospitals.
  • Up to 567 short stay beds through aged residential care facilities to help free up hospital capacity and reduce bed block.
  • Expansion of Hospital in the Home services to support earlier discharge from hospital.

“Emergency department presentations continue to rise alongside population growth and an ageing population, placing hospitals under increasing pressure during the winter months, and creating sustained demand across emergency departments and other health services nationwide,” Mr Brown says.

“Despite these challenges, Health New Zealand has seen emergency department performance improve since the reintroduction of the Government’s health targets, with more patients now being seen sooner, reversing several years of declining performance.”

“While hospitals undertake seasonal planning each year as part of normal operations, winter demand still places significant pressure on services and frontline staff. That’s why strengthening capacity early, ahead of the winter months, is critical to ensuring patients receive timely care.

“In my Letter of Expectation to the Health New Zealand Board last November, I made it clear that I expected a plan to prepare our hospitals for winter to be in place early. This gives New Zealanders confidence that the system is getting ready to support them heading into winter.”

The Board endorsed the plan on 3 March, with implementation now underway nationwide. It provides a coordinated national approach to manage increased winter demand and support frontline teams.

The plan focuses on four key priorities:

  • Prevention:  More vaccination opportunities, clearer winter wellness information, targeted support for older people and those at higher risk, earlier access to antivirals, stronger vaccination support in aged care, and easier access to multiple vaccinations in a single visit.
  • Strengthening primary care: Expanded telehealth services, expansion of urgent and after hours care clinic hours, and working with pharmacies to treat more minor conditions.
  • Improving flow through emergency departments and hospitals: Additional staff and beds to manage higher demand, seasonal winter wards at Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch hospitals, faster diagnostic testing and imaging, and systems to help clinicians respond more quickly to critical results.
  • Supporting timely discharge from hospital: Expanded hospital‑in‑the‑home services, additional transitional and aged residential care beds, increased allied health support for patients returning home, and improved weekend discharge processes.

Mr Brown says every winter brings added pressure on hospitals, with performance against the shorter stays in ED health target historically lower during the winter months.

“Hospitals will still face high levels of demand this winter. But by planning early, expanding capacity, and supporting our frontline teams, we are giving them the tools, resources, and flexibility they need to better manage pressure, reduce delays, and deliver care for New Zealanders.

“I want to thank everyone working across the health system in advance. We know winter will be busy, and this investment is about supporting you to keep patients at the centre of our health system.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/more-staff-extra-beds-as-hospitals-prepare-for-winter/

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Moving health decisions closer to home

Source: New Zealand Government

From 1 July, decision-making within Health New Zealand will shift closer to patients, communities, and hospitals, ensuring decisions are made in the right place at the right time so Kiwis get better access to care, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

Local authority: Health New Zealand regions and districts will receive delegated decision making over workforce decisions, budgets, and service delivery.
National focus: Health New Zealand will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning.
Easier hiring: Hospitals will be able to recruit and deploy staff without central sign-off, reducing response times when demand rises.

“The message from frontline doctors and nurses has been clear: healthcare works best when decisions are made by those who understand their communities and work directly with patients.

“The previous Government’s decision to restructure the health system in the middle of a pandemic shifted decision-making away from the frontline – away from the doctors and nurses delivering care, and away from the patients they serve. Wait times ballooned and service delivery declined.

“The result was a system that became too centralised, with too many decisions made by head office that should have been made much closer to the bedside. These changes, which ensure a nationally planned, locally and regionally delivered health system, will come into effect on 1 July.

“Regions and districts will have clearer authority over workforce, resources, and service delivery, while national leadership focuses on strategy, standards, and system planning.

“This is the most significant structural change our Government is making to improve how the health system operates. It is not a return to the District Health Board model, but it will reduce bureaucracy and give hospitals greater authority to make decisions that ensure delivery of the health targets within their budgets, in a way that reflects the needs of their communities.

Mr Brown says the changes are designed to ensure healthcare services delivered in communities directly improve the lives of patients.

“Health New Zealand’s regions and districts will be responsible for delivering the health targets in their areas, with delegated budgets, the ability to deploy staff where they are needed, and the flexibility to respond faster when demand rises – helping reduce wait times and improve access to care for New Zealanders.

“Putting patients at the centre of the system means decisions about services and resources are made as close as possible to those receiving care. These changes will deliver a health system that is more responsive, efficient, and focused on getting patients the care they need.

“Our Government is focused on fixing the basics of our healthcare system while building for the future. These changes support that priority and will ensure a healthcare system focused on putting patients first in every decision.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/moving-health-decisions-closer-to-home/

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Settlement welcomed for PSA members

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Specialist (PAKS) members represented by the Public Service Association (PSA).

“I am pleased for the approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff across the country who will benefit from this agreement. It recognises the critical role they play in enabling the delivery of health services and supporting frontline teams across the health system,” Mr Brown says.

The agreement provides a 2.5 per cent pay increase in the first year, followed by a further 2 per cent increase in the second year. Staff covered by the settlement will also receive a $500 lump-sum payment, alongside increases to on-call allowances and other after-hours provisions.

“This ratification means around 20,000 Health New Zealand employees are now covered by recently negotiated collective agreements, including PSA Public and Mental Health Nurses, PSA Allied Public Health, Scientific and Technical members, APEX dietitians, APEX pharmacy members, and APEX psychologists.

“I want to acknowledge Health New Zealand and the unions for their constructive engagement in reaching these agreements, which provide certainty for staff and help ensure New Zealanders continue to receive the care they need.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/settlement-welcomed-for-psa-members/

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Missing woman located, Saint John’s

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise a 65-year-old woman reported missing from the Saint John’s area yesterday has been located.

She is being assessed by ambulance staff and will be transported to hospital for further treatment.

Police would like to thank the public for their assistance.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/17/missing-woman-located-saint-johns/

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Are specialist police needed to patrol the CRL underground?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Karangahape Road will be one of three new underground stations on the City Rail Link. Supplied: CRL

A specialist police force will be needed to patrol deep below Auckland’s streets on the new City Rail Link, says a city councillor.

Transport officers and Māori wardens currently patrol public transport, but do not have the power to arrest anyone – which is why some have called for a dedicated police force.

But the police said there were no plans for such a move.

Manukau ward councillor and former police officer Alf Filipaina said with Auckland’s billion dollar transport project opening later this year, safety needed to be a priority.

“What happens when the police have been called to a serious incident somewhere else, and there’s a serious incident in the tunnels? That’s what I want to make sure – that the conversation be had.”

The City Rail Link will have three new underground stations: in the Auckland CBD, Karangahape road and Mount Eden.

Transport officers, like private security guards, had no special powers to arrest suspected criminals.

They have a role to play in policing the new train stations, but they could only do so much, Filipaina said.

“If you haven’t got the ability to arrest and you’re in the tunnel, you just need to wait for the police. Sometimes you don’t have that time or opportunity to do that.”

Auckland Transport incident and experience manager Mike McCann said transport officers provided a visible presence on public transport and checked for people trying to get a free ride, but could only respond to anti-social behaviour by observing and reporting it to the police.

National coordinator of the public transport users association Jon Reeves said his group had been calling for a dedicated transport police force in Auckland for years, and with the City Rail Link close to opening it was more important than ever.

“We’re going to have a mass increase over the next two years of users onto public transport, and that includes users who don’t actually want to get on there and be good New Zealand citizens.

“There’s some that want to do some things which are a little untoward and could be very bad and so that’s why we do need to have some action now.”

Tramways and Public Transport Employees union president Gary Froggatt agreed.

“It would provide more protection, more security, safety. They’d also have the ability to monitor fares, etc. Currently there’s thousands and thousands of dollars lost in the system through people not paying their fares.”

But Police Association president Steve Watt did not support the idea.

“At the end of the day, the police have a limited number of staff which they can deploy to deal with situations, and if police permanently based someone on the Auckland Transport network that means something else has got to give.

The City Rail Link stations may pose extra risk, but police would be able to manage that under the current beat policing approach, he said.

“By its very nature in being underground, obviously there will be some difficulties in potentially reaching certain areas, but I’m sure that between Auckland Transport and police they’ll be able to work those out.”

Auckland City crime prevention manager Inspector Grant Tetzlaff said police would continue to focus on being highly visible in high profile and busy public spaces including the City Rail Link.

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Abdulhassan Nabizadah: Police reappeal for information one year after homicide

Source: Radio New Zealand

Abdulhassan Nabizadah. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Police are again appealing for anyone who knows anything about the death of Abdulhassan Nabizadah to come forward.

It’s been a year since the 63-year-old was assaulted, robbed and left critically injured on Camperdown Road in the Wellington suburb of Miramar.

The offenders, who stole nothing more than his car keys, then left him bleeding and unconscious on the footpath.

Despite best efforts, Nabizadah’s head injuries were unsurvivable and he died in hospital the next day.

Police previously told RNZ they think Nabizadah was “set up” to be robbed, but it took a violent turn.

Blood on the pavement on Camperdown Road. RNZ / REECE BAKER

“We know the people responsible will have talked about the death with friends and family,” Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said on Tuesday.

Police are encouraging those people to come forward.

Earlier, Leitch said the Nabizadah family didn’t have closure and needed to move on.

“Nabizadah was a husband, father, and grandfather, who brought his family to New Zealand from Afghanistan seeking a better life. Instead, his life was taken in a violent and senseless way.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call 105, referencing numbers 250317/6324 or Operation Celtic. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Support cut as boarder income changes take effect

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Families with disabled children are facing reductions in support under new rules that include income from boarders in assessments for accommodation supplements or income-related rent in public housing.

Before 2 March, only income from three or more boarders was included.

Minister for Social Development Louise Upston said, when the change was announced in the 2024 Budget, it was simplifying inconsistent treatment of board and rent payments.

It was expected that of the 8200 households who received the accommodation supplement and have boarders, about 7000 would have a reduction in support, of an average $100 a week.

About 6200 social housing households receiving board payments were expected to be affected, with an average rent increase of $132 a week.

Some families said that boarding situations were commonly used when adult children were living at home – sometimes because they could not move out.

“I’ve got a daughter with special needs who will never move out because she’s not capable of doing anything for herself,” one mother, Cheryl said.

“She’s fully dependent so now with the new laws because she’s 18, she gets her own benefit, her board money is now considered an income for me.

“Thankfully we live in the middle of nowhere so our mortgage is cheaper than what people are paying in rent. But people that are paying more would be affected drastically … my girl is non verbal … she’s under 50kg.

“Although she pays rent it mostly goes on food to try and fatten her up and get her over 50kg. It’s not really spent on a roof over her head.”

The potential for disabled people and young people to be more affected was highlighted in a supplementary analysis report by MSD.

University of Auckland associate professor Susan St John said the change had happened with “remarkably little scrutiny”.

She said people who were hosting homestay students would also be affected.

“It’s one of those changes that have been rushed through and was designed to save a paltry amount of money, $160 million over four years.

“We don’t know even whether it’s going to save that because of the behavioural change. People will just find it is not worthwhile to take on boarders … it’s a very complicated, punitive, discouraging kind of policy.”

Green Party spokesperson Ricardo Mendendez March said the policy made it harder for people who were already struggling.

“This is why this policy was never about fairness, but about finding ways to save money, which is explicitly named in the government budget as basically a cost-saving measure.

“Our concern is that at a time of high unemployment, at a time of a cost of living crisis and the fuel crisis bout to make life harder for everyday people, that we’re about to see people whose ability to make ends meet will be made a lot harder due to their inability to claim the full amount for the accommodation supplement as they would have been able to do so previously.”

Upston said in a press release at the time the change was announced that it supported the Government’s aim of making public services fiscally sustainable and effective.

“We believe that those who have a genuine need should be able to get the help they require while ensuring consistency across MSD payments,” Upston said.

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A camera to tell if drivers are drunk

Source: Radio New Zealand

New facial recognition technology is being worked on that could detect if someone is driving drunk with just a three second video (file image). 123RF

New facial recognition technology is being worked on that could detect if someone is driving drunk with just a three second video.

Researchers in Australia have been working on the project using artificial intelligence for about two years.

The aim is for it be able to detect whether a person is driving drunk or likely to be a dangerous driver because they are angry or fatigued.

Dr Zulqarnain Gilani from Perth’s Edith Cowan University told First Up the algorithm that’s being developed uses a three to 10 second video of a person to see if they are drunk or fatigued, using their expression.

The technology can also determine a person’s blood alcohol level, Dr Gilani said.

“The algorithm currently can detect five expressions, whether a person is happy, sad, angry or showing disgust, whether they are tired or not tired, or fatigues or not fatigued, and their blood alcohol level as well.”

Through testing, Gilani said videos of people driving a simulator in three different intoxication states with differing blood alcohol levels has been used.

The current technology has a 93 percent accuracy level, he said.

Gilani said it was important that AI used be tested thoroughly on all ethnicities and different conditions.

The current algorithm has been tested on a small cohort of 65 – which was a proof of concept test, he said.

The next steps were to collect more and diverse data if they were to implement this in real life.

Asked how the technology could determine mood, Gilani said it all stemmed around psychology.

“Psychology literature tells us that humans display different, either expressions or psychological states, and their faces show that.

“For example, they say that if somebody is drunk, they blink really fast. And the time for which they close their eyes slows down, so they close it for more time.”

They also suffer hot flushes, he said.

“Whereas if someone is tired, their eyes are droopy. Now the interesting thing is that if somebody is very fatigued and someone is intoxicated, they show almost the same sort of behaviour.”

There were two practical scenarios that the researchers saw for implementing this in real life.

Gilani said the first was to have roadside cameras with the technology which could pick up someone who was driving in an impaired condition and somehow, flag it.

“This is a work in progress. How do we do that and how do we flag it and how do we warn the driver?”

The other was to have the technology inside a person’s car. Gilani said many cars these days have an electric ignition. If a camera facing the driver had the technology and detected a person was impaired, the car wouldn’t start.

Gilani said the project required funds.

“We are actively working with different collaborators, partners and also applying for different fundings so that we can collect more data and make this thing practical.”

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/17/a-camera-to-tell-if-drivers-are-drunk/