Category: LiveNews

Posted on

Man arrested following park assault

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Drewery, Taranaki Area Investigations Manager:

Police investigating a serious assault in King Edward Park in Stratford on Friday evening have arrested one person.

A 23-year-old man will appear in the Hawera District Court today on wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police previously asked the public for assistance to locate the offender, following a person being found seriously assaulted by an unknown man at the park.

They were transported to hospital with serious injuries and are thankfully recovering.

Police are grateful for the community’s assistance. It has been a fantastic response to be provided with information that helped investigative staff to quickly apprehend the offender.

Police want to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/man-arrested-following-park-assault/

Posted on

Air New Zealand cancels four return flights to Samoa as airlines call for clarity

Source: Radio New Zealand

Airlines are comfortable there is currently a sufficient fuel supply, Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien says. Supplied/ Air NZ

Air New Zealand says four return flights to Samoa for April and May have been cancelled because of rising fuel costs.

The cancellations are part of scheduled changes that the airline had announced at the start of this month.

Air New Zealand said it had nine services to Samoa each week and described the change as “minimal”.

It said like other airlines it was dealing with unprecedented volatility with jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and was adjusting schedules to manage the impact.

Air New Zealand earlier said that it would cancel around 1100 flights from early March through until early May, but that most passengers would be moved to flights on the same day.

‘We might need to be careful with that jet fuel’ as supplies reduce

Airlines are pleading for assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien told Morning Report that New Zealand is a known as a “fuel risk destination”.

New Zealand had a history of experiencing issues with jet fuel allocation, she said.

“We saw that in 2017. We had the pipeline rupture. We saw it in 2022 and 2023 when we had insufficient jet fuel imported into the country.”

She was concerned that there had been no information, as suppliers could give 12 hours notice of rationing but airlines could not respond in the same way as usual because if there was limited jet fuel in New Zealand, the same would apply elsewhere.

“If we knew how a scarce resource of jet fuel might be managed, then we would be able to say how airlines might respond and whether that jet fuel is allocated more or less to long haul, or short haul, or freighters, or licensed flights, or regional services.

“At the moment, we’re kind of operating in this dearth of information.”

However, O’Brien said airlines were comfortable that there was currently a sufficient fuel supply, and could continue their usual operations.

“If we get to a point, as we have in the past in New Zealand, where jet fuel is 10 days away from arriving and we have a limited amount to get us through, then we might need to be careful with that jet fuel that we have as we wait for the next shipment.

“I think that’s increasingly likely as an outcome of the conflict up in the Middle East … so we need to know how we will manage that delay.”

Meanwhile, regional airlines are warning key air links are under growing pressure due to the rising fuel prices and operating costs.

Originair is poised to scrap its Wellington to Westport route, while Air Chathams has introduced a $20 fuel surcharge per ticket.

Barrier Air chief executive Grant Bacon said fuel price rises so far equated to about $15 extra per person on an average Wellington to Tākaka Golden Bay Air flight.

Reuters reports that jet fuel prices have soared from US$85-90 per barrel to US$150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/air-new-zealand-cancels-four-return-flights-to-samoa-as-airlines-call-for-clarity/

Posted on

Competitive allocation process applications closed for NZ’s largest farm

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  23 March 2026

Rangitahi/Molesworth is New Zealand’s largest farm and has a long history of high-country farming.

It’s also a nationally important drylands ecosystem with a deep cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Rangitāne o Wairau, and significant biodiversity and recreation values.

DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wrenn says DOC received five applications.

“We’re really pleased with the response we’ve had here. Given the scale of the reserve and the specialised type of farming, we think this is a good level of interest,” Stacey says.

“We appreciate the effort that has gone into preparing the applications.”

Stacey says the applications will now be carefully assessed against set criteria and DOC aims to select a preferred operator by the end of May.

“Assessment criteria includes the operator’s experience, skills and resources, how biodiversity and heritage values will be protected, how cultural values will be upheld, and how public access will be improved and facilitated.

“Details of this process are available in the tender document on the DOC website.

“Once a preferred operator is chosen, they will be invited to apply for a concession, which will be publicly notified so people can have their say on the proposal.”

The existing lease with Pāmu (Landcorp Farming), expires 30 June 2026. DOC and Pāmu are working together to ensure operations continue smoothly while the preferred operator is selected and new concession processed, and to work through the change of operators, if necessary.

“As the incumbent, Pāmu continues to engage closely with the Department of Conservation regarding the future of the Molesworth lease, and we’re committed to working constructively through their process,” says a Pāmu spokesperson.

At 180,787 ha, Molesworth Recreation Reserve is slightly larger than Rakiura/Stewart Island and larger than 10 of New Zealand’s National Parks.

More details about the competitive allocation process can be found on the DOC website.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/competitive-allocation-process-applications-closed-for-nzs-largest-farm/

Posted on

Air New Zealand cancels four return flights to Samoa as airlines call for clarity

Source: Radio New Zealand

Airlines are comfortable there is currently a sufficient fuel supply, Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien says. Supplied/ Air NZ

Air New Zealand says four return flights to Samoa for April and May have been cancelled because of rising fuel costs.

The cancellations are part of scheduled changes that the airline had announced at the start of this month.

Air New Zealand said it had nine services to Samoa each week and described the change as “minimal”.

It said like other airlines it was dealing with unprecedented volatility with jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and was adjusting schedules to manage the impact.

Air New Zealand earlier said that it would cancel around 1100 flights from early March through until early May, but that most passengers would be moved to flights on the same day.

‘We might need to be careful with that jet fuel’ as supplies reduce

Airlines are pleading for assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien told Morning Report that New Zealand is a known as a “fuel risk destination”.

New Zealand had a history of experiencing issues with jet fuel allocation, she said.

“We saw that in 2017. We had the pipeline rupture. We saw it in 2022 and 2023 when we had insufficient jet fuel imported into the country.”

She was concerned that there had been no information, as suppliers could give 12 hours notice of rationing but airlines could not respond in the same way as usual because if there was limited jet fuel in New Zealand, the same would apply elsewhere.

“If we knew how a scarce resource of jet fuel might be managed, then we would be able to say how airlines might respond and whether that jet fuel is allocated more or less to long haul, or short haul, or freighters, or licensed flights, or regional services.

“At the moment, we’re kind of operating in this dearth of information.”

However, O’Brien said airlines were comfortable that there was currently a sufficient fuel supply, and could continue their usual operations.

“If we get to a point, as we have in the past in New Zealand, where jet fuel is 10 days away from arriving and we have a limited amount to get us through, then we might need to be careful with that jet fuel that we have as we wait for the next shipment.

“I think that’s increasingly likely as an outcome of the conflict up in the Middle East … so we need to know how we will manage that delay.”

Meanwhile, regional airlines are warning key air links are under growing pressure due to the rising fuel prices and operating costs.

Originair is poised to scrap its Wellington to Westport route, while Air Chathams has introduced a $20 fuel surcharge per ticket.

Barrier Air chief executive Grant Bacon said fuel price rises so far equated to about $15 extra per person on an average Wellington to Tākaka Golden Bay Air flight.

Reuters reports that jet fuel prices have soared from US$85-90 per barrel to US$150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.

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/2026/03/24/air-new-zealand-cancels-four-return-flights-to-samoa-as-airlines-call-for-clarity/

Posted on

Farmer who ‘charged’ council officer fined $35,000 for effluent discharges

Source: Radio New Zealand

James Langton was fined $35,000 when he appeared for sentencing at New Plymouth District Court. Supplied / Ministry of Justice

An Ōpunake farmer who charged at a regional council staff member inspecting problems at his property has been told the courts will “not tolerate threats or intimidation” of people doing their jobs.

James Langton was fined $35,000 after pleading guilty to two charges of discharging untreated dairy effluent when he appeared for sentencing at New Plymouth District Court.

An inspection of Langton’s property on 9 October could not be completed when the dairy farmer became aggressive to staff and, on 12 October, he charged at a council officer and police had to intervene.

“This court will not tolerate threats or intimidation of council officers who are doing their job,” wrote Judge Jeff Smith in his decision which noted police were present.

Langton, who no longer operated the farm, was denied a 5 percent discount for personal remorse or otherwise good conduct due to the ‘regrettable’ charging of the council officer.

Council staff were investigating the discharge of untreated dairy effluent onto land and groundwater at the 40ha farm on Ihaia Road which could have contaminated groundwater and the Hihiwera Stream.

That visit followed seven earlier non-compliance notices from 2009 to 2022, five of which were related to effluent on the site.

Judge Smith said it was a ‘miracle’ the effluent in the 2025 incident had not made it to water after the inspection found effluent was being discharged directly from pipes rather than an irrigator and a broken outlet pipe was also discharging directly onto land.

The January sentencing was discussed at a Taranaki Regional Council Operations and Regulatory Committee on Tuesday.

The council’s compliance manager, Jared Glasgow, told the committee the decision to discard the remorse discount and the substantial fine showed the severity of the incident.

“We were appalled by the actions of the farmer. There is no place for intimidation or threats to our staff who are out in the community working to safeguard our environment,” Glasgow said.

“While we work really well with the vast majority of farmers, we hope the outcome of this case will act as a reminder that our staff are people and should be treated accordingly. Our staff are doing fantastic work and deserve to be treated with respect.

“This case is also a reminder of the importance of following resource consents and ensuring dairy effluent is disposed of correctly with zero chance of it entering waterways or groundwater.”

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/2026/03/24/farmer-who-charged-council-officer-fined-35000-for-effluent-discharges/

Posted on

Easy ways to avoid oil discharges

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Vessels can discharge oily water that causes harm to the oceans and rivers we depend on for our livelihoods and wellbeing.

New Zealand’s latest state of the environment report – Our environment 2025 – outlines how our marine and freshwater environments are being affected by pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. So, please take responsibility for minimising pollution from your vessels.

Even clean bilges can contain oily water mixtures. By taking simple steps, we can protect our precious marine and freshwater environments by minimising any oil being discharged overboard:

  • maintain your engine to minimise leaks, and have a drip pan to catch any drips
  • use sorbent pads in your bilge to protect the environment by ensuring any surface oil is ‘mopped up’ (when no longer usable, take sorbents ashore to be disposed of responsibly)
  • install a float switch in a position where it can automatically stop discharge before any floating oil can be sucked up by a bilge pump.

It doesn’t take much to help keep our waters clean.

Find out more about the state of our marine and freshwater environments

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/easy-ways-to-avoid-oil-discharges/

Posted on

Competitive allocation applications process closed for NZ’s largest farm

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  23 March 2026

Rangitahi/Molesworth is New Zealand’s largest farm and has a long history of high-country farming.

It’s also a nationally important drylands ecosystem with a deep cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Rangitāne o Wairau, and significant biodiversity and recreation values.

DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wrenn says DOC received five applications.

“We’re really pleased with the response we’ve had here. Given the scale of the reserve and the specialised type of farming, we think this is a good level of interest,” Stacey says.

“We appreciate the effort that has gone into preparing the applications.”

Stacey says the applications will now be carefully assessed against set criteria and DOC aims to select a preferred operator by the end of May.

“Assessment criteria includes the operator’s experience, skills and resources, how biodiversity and heritage values will be protected, how cultural values will be upheld, and how public access will be improved and facilitated.

“Details of this process are available in the tender document on the DOC website.

“Once a preferred operator is chosen, they will be invited to apply for a concession, which will be publicly notified so people can have their say on the proposal.”

The existing lease with Pāmu (Landcorp Farming), expires 30 June 2026. DOC and Pāmu are working together to ensure operations continue smoothly while the preferred operator is selected and new concession processed, and to work through the change of operators, if necessary.

“As the incumbent, Pāmu continues to engage closely with the Department of Conservation regarding the future of the Molesworth lease, and we’re committed to working constructively through their process,” says a Pāmu spokesperson.

At 180,787 ha, Molesworth Recreation Reserve is slightly larger than Rakiura/Stewart Island and larger than 10 of New Zealand’s National Parks.

More details about the competitive allocation process can be found on the DOC website.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/competitive-allocation-applications-process-closed-for-nzs-largest-farm/

Posted on

Farmer who ‘charged’ council officer fined $35,000 for effluent discharges

Source: Radio New Zealand

James Langton was fined $35,000 when he appeared for sentencing at New Plymouth District Court. Supplied / Ministry of Justice

An Ōpunake farmer who charged at a regional council staff member inspecting problems at his property has been told the courts will “not tolerate threats or intimidation” of people doing their jobs.

James Langton was fined $35,000 after pleading guilty to two charges of discharging untreated dairy effluent when he appeared for sentencing at New Plymouth District Court.

An inspection of Langton’s property on 9 October could not be completed when the dairy farmer became aggressive to staff and, on 12 October, he charged at a council officer and police had to intervene.

“This court will not tolerate threats or intimidation of council officers who are doing their job,” wrote Judge Jeff Smith in his decision which noted police were present.

Langton, who no longer operated the farm, was denied a 5 percent discount for personal remorse or otherwise good conduct due to the ‘regrettable’ charging of the council officer.

Council staff were investigating the discharge of untreated dairy effluent onto land and groundwater at the 40ha farm on Ihaia Road which could have contaminated groundwater and the Hihiwera Stream.

That visit followed seven earlier non-compliance notices from 2009 to 2022, five of which were related to effluent on the site.

Judge Smith said it was a ‘miracle’ the effluent in the 2025 incident had not made it to water after the inspection found effluent was being discharged directly from pipes rather than an irrigator and a broken outlet pipe was also discharging directly onto land.

The January sentencing was discussed at a Taranaki Regional Council Operations and Regulatory Committee on Tuesday.

The council’s compliance manager, Jared Glasgow, told the committee the decision to discard the remorse discount and the substantial fine showed the severity of the incident.

“We were appalled by the actions of the farmer. There is no place for intimidation or threats to our staff who are out in the community working to safeguard our environment,” Glasgow said.

“While we work really well with the vast majority of farmers, we hope the outcome of this case will act as a reminder that our staff are people and should be treated accordingly. Our staff are doing fantastic work and deserve to be treated with respect.

“This case is also a reminder of the importance of following resource consents and ensuring dairy effluent is disposed of correctly with zero chance of it entering waterways or groundwater.”

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/farmer-who-charged-council-officer-fined-35000-for-effluent-discharges/

Posted on

Easy ways to avoid oil discharges

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Vessels can discharge oily water that causes harm to the oceans and rivers we depend on for our livelihoods and wellbeing.

New Zealand’s latest state of the environment report – Our environment 2025 – outlines how our marine and freshwater environments are being affected by pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. So, please take responsibility for minimising pollution from your vessels.

Even clean bilges can contain oily water mixtures. By taking simple steps, we can protect our precious marine and freshwater environments by minimising any oil being discharged overboard:

  • maintain your engine to minimise leaks, and have a drip pan to catch any drips
  • use sorbent pads in your bilge to protect the environment by ensuring any surface oil is ‘mopped up’ (when no longer usable, take sorbents ashore to be disposed of responsibly)
  • install a float switch in a position where it can automatically stop discharge before any floating oil can be sucked up by a bilge pump.

It doesn’t take much to help keep our waters clean.

Find out more about the state of our marine and freshwater environments

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/easy-ways-to-avoid-oil-discharges/

Posted on

Rip Curl de-merger bid rejected

Source: Radio New Zealand

KMD Brands has rejected a proposal which would see Rip Curl de-merged into a separate dual-listed company, then merged with Stokehouse to create a new company. photosport

Retailer KMD Brands has rejected a proposal from a US surfwear company to slice off its Rip Curl label and marry the two brands together.

The NZX and ASX-listed company disclosed the details of the concept, suggested by California-based Stokehouse, on Tuesday following a report in the Australian Financial Review.

KMD Brands says the proposal would see Rip Curl de-merged into a separate dual-listed company, then merged with Stokehouse to create a new company.

“The concept proposed by Stokehouse creates no value for shareholders and is challenging from an execution standpoint,” KMD Brands chairman David Kirk said.

“In addition, the combination of multiple surf brands that directly compete with each other is not a strategy that has proven effective.”

If the deal had gone ahead as proposed, Stokehouse would own 22 percent of the new business, and Stokehouse’s chief executive would also head up the entity, according to KMD’s market update.

“This proposed ownership structure is misaligned with the earnings delivered by the Stokehouse and Rip Curl businesses given Stokehouse’s immaterial contribution to combined EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation], and would unfairly dilute KMD Brands shareholders,” KMD said in a statement.

In addition to Rip Curl, KMD Brands also owns Kathmandu and Oboz brands. Stokehouse’s core brand is surf label Vissla, and is run by former Billabong chief executive Paul Naude.

The dual-listed company said it carefully considered the concept but had decided it was not in the best interest of shareholders and would instead continue with its current strategy.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/rip-curl-de-merger-bid-rejected/

Posted on

Mangakara Nature Walk to reopen, caution urged

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  23 March 2026

DOC Waikato Operations Manager Niwha Jones says his staff have been working hard to reopen and assess tracks, and the latest to be made available to the public is Mangakara Nature Walk.

The Mangakara Nature Walk is a family friendly short walk and easily accessible from Grey Road. It has a range of educational information signs about the various specimen trees and plants found there.

Niwha says the storm destroyed two footbridges on the track – meaning the loop of the walk cannot be completed.

“It’s going to take us several months to arrange replacement of those bridges, so until that work is done the Mangakara Nature Walk is a ‘there and back’ experience to two end points,” he says.

Niwha discourages inexperienced visitors from crossing streams on the track while bridges remain unavailable, and to comply with all DOC signage and website alerts for all tracks.

“We want people to have a safe and enjoyable experience, so please enjoy the walk in its current configuration.”

Meanwhile, DOC staff have used a drone to capture footage of some of the landslips further up Pirongia maunga. The footage shows two large landslips near the Mahaukura Track, which includes a helicopter pad used by DOC for various operations.

“The drone footage the team has captured reinforces our view this track is not safe for naturing and we do not want people using it. The slip hazards are considered significant and further assessment is needed.”

Niwha says his team still has a lot of work to do in the wake of the February storm and urged the public to respect closures and ensure they make sensible decisions to have safe experiences on the maunga.

“If it’s closed, there’s a very good reason it’s off-limits to the public – and we ask people to respect those closures.”

People can visit the DOC website pages for individual tracks for the latest updates. Website pages carry alerts on closures, detours or other information people need to be aware of.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/mangakara-nature-walk-to-reopen-caution-urged/

Posted on

Contact Energy CEO dismisses NZ First plan to split electricity suppliers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Winston Peters said the country was paying some of the highest power prices in the world. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The head of Contact Energy has brushed aside Winston Peters’ claims saying electricity prices in New Zealand are some of the lowest in the OECD.

New Zealand First is campaigning on splitting electricity suppliers into generators and retailers, in an effort to bring prices down.

Yesterday Peters told Morning Report the country was paying some of the highest power prices in the world.

“New Zealanders are being screwed. We’ve gone from being a very competitive pricing regime for New Zealand businesses and houses – in fact it’s a cutting-edge advantage in the good old days, against overseas competition – to now paying some of the highest prices in the world.

“This is a critical industry and [New Zealanders have] lost control of it and they’ve been paying a fortune to many foreign owners as a consequence. That’s the reason why our economy’s dragging along the way it is,” Peters said.

Peters would not be drawn on how companies retailing power – after generating it themselves as wholesalers – would be compelled to step back from the model or how a proposed split would be managed.

“You’ve got these other bodies, the public bodies, saying, oh, this will be too difficult. This will just be, logistically, not possible. The answer is, get out of the way and let people who do know what they’re doing do it,” Peters said.

Peters said the government needed to step in and stop profits from energy supply being funnelled to overseas interests.

Contact dispute Peters’ claim

But on Morning Report today Contact CEO, Mike Fuge said New Zealand First was “tapping in” to concerns over fuel and the conflict in the Middle East.

“We have some of the lowest prices in the OECD. We always rank in the bottom third in terms of affordability and a lot of those other countries that we compete with in that zone are actually getting subsidies, so we’re doing that off our own bat, and I think that’s some thing a lot of Kiwis can be proud of,” Fuge said.

He said the company worked hard to be transparent in their retail arm and investments into power generation.

“We’ve invested $2.4 bil in the last five years with a further $2 bil in the next five years. We’re one of the most scrutinised sectors in this country and the Electricity Price Review looked at us very hard and came up with the conclusion that the gentailers were in the right structure,” Fuge said.

He said New Zealand’s energy prices were dictated by supply and the country needed more resilient and sustainable energy sources.

“With the energy prices globally, Kiwi households are doing it tough at the moment and I think – whether we disagree, and we do disagree, with New Zealand First’s position – they’re tapping into frustration around high energy prices – particularly petrol and diesel at the moment,” Fuge said.

Fuge said – as a wholesaler/generator – Contact had supplied package prices to second tier energy retailers as well.

“The wholesale market we have, [has] helped the growth of a tier two retail sector and we have one of the most dynamic tier two – or separated – retail sectors globally,” Fuge said.

“The reality is we are investing aggressively to bring renewable energy on in this country and the returns we make are actually lower than the regulated section of the industry and lines companies.

“We have brought on over 5% of the total demand in this country in the last five years.

“We are building for ordinary kiwi homes right now. We have already completed significant projects, Tauhara and Te Huka 3 [geothermal power stations which came online in 2024]. We have five projects in train at the moment. We are commissioning the battery at Glenbrook. The fact is we are building and we are building as fast as we can go,” Fuge said.

Fuge said the country’s sustainable energy potential could more than twice exceed the existing market.

“If we can get on and build that we can attract new industries here. We can attract food processing, we can potentially expand the aluminium smelter, we can support data centres.

“There is plenty of electricity to go round. The challenge for the nation at the moment is what’s being imported and what’s going on in the Middle East,” Fuge said.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/contact-energy-ceo-dismisses-nz-first-plan-to-split-electricity-suppliers/

Posted on

Scott Base plan ready by June – Antarctica NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Impression of how a revamped Scott Base might look. Antarctica NZ / supplied

Antarctica New Zealand says it is aiming to get its detailed business case to revamp Scott Base in front of Cabinet for approval in June.

This is about two years after the project was reset amid concerns over cost blowouts.

The agency said the first draft of the detailed business case was ready ahead of schedule in January and shared with agencies monitoring the job.

“The timeline has not slipped,” chief executive and chief science advisor Professor Jordy Hendrikx said in a statement.

Work on detailed designs and costs was carrying on ahead of the case going to Cabinet.

The latest Treasury report available on the project, from six months ago, rated it as ‘amber’ – in the mid-range, where red shows big problems and green is good – and said it was “moving at pace, but is sure-footed”.

The report mentioned “accelerated” arrangements for getting it built, with an end date put at December 2030.

The base project was among a dozen or so public projects rated “high profile, high risk”.

A $60 million wind farm upgrade had earlier been delayed by a few months.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/scott-base-plan-ready-by-june-antarctica-nz/

Posted on

Contact Energy CEO dismisses NZ First plan to split electricity suppliers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Winston Peters said the country was paying some of the highest power prices in the world. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The head of Contact Energy has brushed aside Winston Peters’ claims saying electricity prices in New Zealand are some of the lowest in the OECD.

New Zealand First is campaigning on splitting electricity suppliers into generators and retailers, in an effort to bring prices down.

Yesterday Peters told Morning Report the country was paying some of the highest power prices in the world.

“New Zealanders are being screwed. We’ve gone from being a very competitive pricing regime for New Zealand businesses and houses – in fact it’s a cutting-edge advantage in the good old days, against overseas competition – to now paying some of the highest prices in the world.

“This is a critical industry and [New Zealanders have] lost control of it and they’ve been paying a fortune to many foreign owners as a consequence. That’s the reason why our economy’s dragging along the way it is,” Peters said.

Peters would not be drawn on how companies retailing power – after generating it themselves as wholesalers – would be compelled to step back from the model or how a proposed split would be managed.

“You’ve got these other bodies, the public bodies, saying, oh, this will be too difficult. This will just be, logistically, not possible. The answer is, get out of the way and let people who do know what they’re doing do it,” Peters said.

Peters said the government needed to step in and stop profits from energy supply being funnelled to overseas interests.

Contact dispute Peters’ claim

But on Morning Report today Contact CEO, Mike Fuge said New Zealand First was “tapping in” to concerns over fuel and the conflict in the Middle East.

“We have some of the lowest prices in the OECD. We always rank in the bottom third in terms of affordability and a lot of those other countries that we compete with in that zone are actually getting subsidies, so we’re doing that off our own bat, and I think that’s some thing a lot of Kiwis can be proud of,” Fuge said.

He said the company worked hard to be transparent in their retail arm and investments into power generation.

“We’ve invested $2.4 bil in the last five years with a further $2 bil in the next five years. We’re one of the most scrutinised sectors in this country and the Electricity Price Review looked at us very hard and came up with the conclusion that the gentailers were in the right structure,” Fuge said.

He said New Zealand’s energy prices were dictated by supply and the country needed more resilient and sustainable energy sources.

“With the energy prices globally, Kiwi households are doing it tough at the moment and I think – whether we disagree, and we do disagree, with New Zealand First’s position – they’re tapping into frustration around high energy prices – particularly petrol and diesel at the moment,” Fuge said.

Fuge said – as a wholesaler/generator – Contact had supplied package prices to second tier energy retailers as well.

“The wholesale market we have, [has] helped the growth of a tier two retail sector and we have one of the most dynamic tier two – or separated – retail sectors globally,” Fuge said.

“The reality is we are investing aggressively to bring renewable energy on in this country and the returns we make are actually lower than the regulated section of the industry and lines companies.

“We have brought on over 5% of the total demand in this country in the last five years.

“We are building for ordinary kiwi homes right now. We have already completed significant projects, Tauhara and Te Huka 3 [geothermal power stations which came online in 2024]. We have five projects in train at the moment. We are commissioning the battery at Glenbrook. The fact is we are building and we are building as fast as we can go,” Fuge said.

Fuge said the country’s sustainable energy potential could more than twice exceed the existing market.

“If we can get on and build that we can attract new industries here. We can attract food processing, we can potentially expand the aluminium smelter, we can support data centres.

“There is plenty of electricity to go round. The challenge for the nation at the moment is what’s being imported and what’s going on in the Middle East,” Fuge said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/contact-energy-ceo-dismisses-nz-first-plan-to-split-electricity-suppliers/

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Scott Base plan ready by June – Antarctica NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Impression of how a revamped Scott Base might look. Antarctica NZ / supplied

Antarctica New Zealand says it is aiming to get its detailed business case to revamp Scott Base in front of Cabinet for approval in June.

This is about two years after the project was reset amid concerns over cost blowouts.

The agency said the first draft of the detailed business case was ready ahead of schedule in January and shared with agencies monitoring the job.

“The timeline has not slipped,” chief executive and chief science advisor Professor Jordy Hendrikx said in a statement.

Work on detailed designs and costs was carrying on ahead of the case going to Cabinet.

The latest Treasury report available on the project, from six months ago, rated it as ‘amber’ – in the mid-range, where red shows big problems and green is good – and said it was “moving at pace, but is sure-footed”.

The report mentioned “accelerated” arrangements for getting it built, with an end date put at December 2030.

The base project was among a dozen or so public projects rated “high profile, high risk”.

A $60 million wind farm upgrade had earlier been delayed by a few months.

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/2026/03/24/scott-base-plan-ready-by-june-antarctica-nz/

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Rip Curl de-merger bid rejected

Source: Radio New Zealand

KMD Brands has rejected a proposal which would see Rip Curl de-merged into a separate dual-listed company, then merged with Stokehouse to create a new company. photosport

Retailer KMD Brands has rejected a proposal from a US surfwear company to slice off its Rip Curl label and marry the two brands together.

The NZX and ASX-listed company disclosed the details of the concept, suggested by California-based Stokehouse, on Tuesday following a report in the Australian Financial Review.

KMD Brands says the proposal would see Rip Curl de-merged into a separate dual-listed company, then merged with Stokehouse to create a new company.

“The concept proposed by Stokehouse creates no value for shareholders and is challenging from an execution standpoint,” KMD Brands chairman David Kirk said.

“In addition, the combination of multiple surf brands that directly compete with each other is not a strategy that has proven effective.”

If the deal had gone ahead as proposed, Stokehouse would own 22 percent of the new business, and Stokehouse’s chief executive would also head up the entity, according to KMD’s market update.

“This proposed ownership structure is misaligned with the earnings delivered by the Stokehouse and Rip Curl businesses given Stokehouse’s immaterial contribution to combined EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation], and would unfairly dilute KMD Brands shareholders,” KMD said in a statement.

In addition to Rip Curl, KMD Brands also owns Kathmandu and Oboz brands. Stokehouse’s core brand is surf label Vissla, and is run by former Billabong chief executive Paul Naude.

The dual-listed company said it carefully considered the concept but had decided it was not in the best interest of shareholders and would instead continue with its current strategy.

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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/2026/03/24/rip-curl-de-merger-bid-rejected/

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Prospecting application targets frontier acreage

Source: New Zealand Government

A new prospecting permit application in the offshore Canterbury Basin signals renewed sector confidence in pursuing opportunities in New Zealand’s search for oil and gas, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (NZP&M) has today opened a three-month competitive process for an application submitted by CBX Energy Limited. The proposal outlines a programme of technical and economic studies, including work on a comprehensive Canterbury Basin development strategy.

“The Canterbury Basin, off the east coast of the South Island, is one of New Zealand’s 18 sedimentary basins with known or potential hydrocarbons. It has long been viewed as a promising but largely untapped opportunity,” Mr Jones says.

“The basin remains far less explored than comparable regions overseas, highlighting how much potential is still to be tested.

“Further prospecting and exploration in the Canterbury Basin could unlock new domestic energy resources, strengthening New Zealand’s long‑term energy resilience and creating valuable economic opportunities.”

NZP&M will accept competing applications until 5pm, 24 June. Applications will be prioritised in accordance with the criteria set out in the Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025. A permit may be awarded in response to the best application that also meets requirements of the Crown Minerals Act 1991. A petroleum prospecting permit is an early‑stage, low‑impact permit that allows a company to search for evidence of petroleum/oil and gas.

Since the removal of the petroleum exploration ban in late 2025, two exploration permit applications have already progressed through the competitive process and are now under assessment, with decisions expected later this year.

For more information see: Applications under the open market competitive process – New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/prospecting-application-targets-frontier-acreage/

Posted on

Prospecting application targets frontier acreage

Source: New Zealand Government

A new prospecting permit application in the offshore Canterbury Basin signals renewed sector confidence in pursuing opportunities in New Zealand’s search for oil and gas, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (NZP&M) has today opened a three-month competitive process for an application submitted by CBX Energy Limited. The proposal outlines a programme of technical and economic studies, including work on a comprehensive Canterbury Basin development strategy.

“The Canterbury Basin, off the east coast of the South Island, is one of New Zealand’s 18 sedimentary basins with known or potential hydrocarbons. It has long been viewed as a promising but largely untapped opportunity,” Mr Jones says.

“The basin remains far less explored than comparable regions overseas, highlighting how much potential is still to be tested.

“Further prospecting and exploration in the Canterbury Basin could unlock new domestic energy resources, strengthening New Zealand’s long‑term energy resilience and creating valuable economic opportunities.”

NZP&M will accept competing applications until 5pm, 24 June. Applications will be prioritised in accordance with the criteria set out in the Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025. A permit may be awarded in response to the best application that also meets requirements of the Crown Minerals Act 1991. A petroleum prospecting permit is an early‑stage, low‑impact permit that allows a company to search for evidence of petroleum/oil and gas.

Since the removal of the petroleum exploration ban in late 2025, two exploration permit applications have already progressed through the competitive process and are now under assessment, with decisions expected later this year.

For more information see: Applications under the open market competitive process – New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/prospecting-application-targets-frontier-acreage/

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‘Operating in this dearth of information’: Airlines pleading government for assurance

Source: Radio New Zealand

Airlines are comfortable there is currently a sufficient fuel supply, Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien says. Supplied/ Air NZ

Airlines are pleading for assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien told Morning Report that New Zealand is a known as a “fuel risk destination”.

New Zealand had a history of experiencing issues with jet fuel allocation, she said.

“We saw that in 2017. We had the pipeline rupture. We saw it in 2022 and 2023 when we had insufficient jet fuel imported into the country.”

She was concerned that there had been no information, as suppliers could give 12 hours notice of rationing but airlines could not respond in the same way as usual because if there was limited jet fuel in New Zealand, the same would apply elsewhere.

“If we knew how a scarce resource of jet fuel might be managed, then we would be able to say how airlines might respond and whether that jet fuel is allocated more or less to long haul, or short haul, or freighters, or licensed flights, or regional services.

“At the moment, we’re kind of operating in this dearth of information.”

However, O’Brien said airlines were comfortable that there was currently a sufficient fuel supply, and could continue their usual operations.

“If we get to a point, as we have in the past in New Zealand, where jet fuel is 10 days away from arriving and we have a limited amount to get us through, then we might need to be careful with that jet fuel that we have as we wait for the next shipment.

“I think that’s increasingly likely as an outcome of the conflict up in the Middle East … so we need to know how we will manage that delay.”

Meanwhile, regional airlines are warning key air links are under growing pressure due to the rising fuel prices and operating costs.

Originair is poised to scrap its Wellington to Westport route, while Air Chathams has introduced a $20 fuel surcharge per ticket.

Barrier Air chief executive Grant Bacon said fuel price rises so far equated to about $15 extra per person on an average Wellington to Tākaka Golden Bay Air flight.

Reuters reports that jet fuel prices have soared from US$85-90 per barrel to US$150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/operating-in-this-dearth-of-information-airlines-pleading-government-for-assurance/

Posted on

‘Operating in this dearth of information’: Airlines pleading government for assurance

Source: Radio New Zealand

Airlines are comfortable there is currently a sufficient fuel supply, Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien says. Supplied/ Air NZ

Airlines are pleading for assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Board of Airline Representatives chief executive Cath O’Brien told Morning Report that New Zealand is a known as a “fuel risk destination”.

New Zealand had a history of experiencing issues with jet fuel allocation, she said.

“We saw that in 2017. We had the pipeline rupture. We saw it in 2022 and 2023 when we had insufficient jet fuel imported into the country.”

She was concerned that there had been no information, as suppliers could give 12 hours notice of rationing but airlines could not respond in the same way as usual because if there was limited jet fuel in New Zealand, the same would apply elsewhere.

“If we knew how a scarce resource of jet fuel might be managed, then we would be able to say how airlines might respond and whether that jet fuel is allocated more or less to long haul, or short haul, or freighters, or licensed flights, or regional services.

“At the moment, we’re kind of operating in this dearth of information.”

However, O’Brien said airlines were comfortable that there was currently a sufficient fuel supply, and could continue their usual operations.

“If we get to a point, as we have in the past in New Zealand, where jet fuel is 10 days away from arriving and we have a limited amount to get us through, then we might need to be careful with that jet fuel that we have as we wait for the next shipment.

“I think that’s increasingly likely as an outcome of the conflict up in the Middle East … so we need to know how we will manage that delay.”

Meanwhile, regional airlines are warning key air links are under growing pressure due to the rising fuel prices and operating costs.

Originair is poised to scrap its Wellington to Westport route, while Air Chathams has introduced a $20 fuel surcharge per ticket.

Barrier Air chief executive Grant Bacon said fuel price rises so far equated to about $15 extra per person on an average Wellington to Tākaka Golden Bay Air flight.

Reuters reports that jet fuel prices have soared from US$85-90 per barrel to US$150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.

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/2026/03/24/operating-in-this-dearth-of-information-airlines-pleading-government-for-assurance/