Category: LiveNews

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Uncertainty over the fuel that drives our economy

Source: Radio New Zealand

Experts say in this environment, it’s near impossible to predict where the prices will land. RNZ / Dan Cook

It doesn’t matter where we get our oil from – in a globally connected world, New Zealand is at the mercy of wildly fluctuating prices as long as the Iran conflict continues

Where is the price of petrol heading?

Who knows.

“The market is so volatile, and so uncertain. I’ve never seen changes at the speed that is occurring currently,” says the AA’s fuel expert Terry Collins.

Brent crude is going up and down with every development in the Iran war, every utterance from the US president, and every move by oil-producing nations to either increase supply – or hoard it for themselves.

At the start of this week pundits were predicting we’d be paying $3 a litre for 91 at the pump, and that hit on Thursday afternoon.

Today on The Detail we speak to two people keeping an eagle eye on developments about what the drivers of oil prices are, how it gets into the country, and how secure our supply is.

Collins says in this environment, it’s near impossible to predict where the prices will land.

“Unpredictability means that oil companies have to price in risk as a premium. They actually don’t know what they’re going to be paying for their fuel in the coming weeks, because on one day it could be – as in the case between Friday and Monday – a $30 difference for a barrel of oil, which is about 30 cents retail at the pump.

“What we do know is we’ve got plenty of fuel in the country, and we’ve got plenty of fuel on the way.”

The key issue is that around 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed because of the war in the Middle East.

We don’t directly buy the crude oil that goes through the Strait – we get a refined product from Asian countries including Singapore and South Korea. But the oil those countries buy to refine passes through the Strait. And when other nations find their supplies constricted through war, they will be bidding for petrol in the same market as we are.

“And there’s other things that are making the market jump around,” he says.

“One minute the Americans are talking about releasing some of their strategic fuel reserves – okay that will only be for America but it will reduce demand globally.

“They’re talking about lifting sanctions with Russia, which would allow more Russian oil to come back on.”

The International Energy Agency (IEA) yesterday announced it would release 400 million barrels of oil, the largest such move in its history, to try to rein in crude prices – New Zealand, as a member of the IEA, will contribute just under 1.6 million barrels, according to Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones.

“So every time an announcement’s made, the market seems to jump around, and until these things are settled that’s a very uncertain time.”

Collins still thinks petrol will be more expensive next week than this week, but says there’s no need to panic buy.

He also points out that it’s not petrol, but rather diesel, that drives our economy, especially at harvest time when all the rural farm machinery is in action … but diesel is in use for everything from bitumen to plastics manufacturing, and also of course for truck deliveries, including to our supermarkets.

And to all those people lamenting the loss of the Marsden Point oil refinery, Collins doesn’t believe keeping it in action would have made a difference – he explains why in the podcast.

The chief executive of Waitomo Group, Simon Pareham, advises drivers to shop around when it comes to petrol prices, and there are a couple of apps on which you can do that.

But he also says this isn’t a supply crisis.

“What we’re seeing … is that geo-political risk is being priced in,” he says.

Pareham says there’s no need for government action on prices yet, but if the crisis goes on for long it could always slice excise taxes and replace that funding with the extra GST income.

“The government’s asked the Commerce Commission to keep a watchful eye on the situation so we welcome that,” he says.

“High fuel prices are not good for anyone, and especially [as] we’re on the cusp of this economic recovery in New Zealand.”

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/13/uncertainty-over-the-fuel-that-drives-our-economy/

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Wattie’s a big name reminder of pressure on NZ manufacturers

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Big names like Heinz Wattie’s closing their doors are high-profile reminders of the pressure many businesses are under, one economist says.

Heinz Wattie’s announced this week it was planning to close some of its manufacturing operations.

The company said about 350 jobs were expected to be affected.

It outlined plans to axe the sale and production of a number of its products and brands, including frozen vegetables and Gregg’s coffee.

It would also no longer produce dips sold under the Mediterranean, Just Hummus and Good Taste Company brands.

Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said it seemed as though every recession or downturn took with it a big-name business.

In recent years, Cadbury has closed its Dunedin factory, several mills have closed, James Hardie shut its Penrose factory and Unilever closed in Petone.

“[Heinz Wattie’s] sounded like electricity prices and the cost of labour were the things they were really struggling with,” Eaqub said.

“Labour issues have always been a thing for New Zealand manufacturing. We can’t compete with Asian countries that have much lower wages,” Eaqub said.

“More recently, we’ve had the pressure of energy costs from various sources from electricity to gas that have made it harder for some processes. It’s partly because a lot of our manufacturing capacity is aged, so they’re not as efficient and effective as what’s available globally.”

He said big manufacturers and “old school” firms were under pressure, but there were also a lot of small manufacturers doing well.

“Sometimes that is a bit hard to see because they are quite small specialised businesses, not necessarily always visible to the rest of us.”

But he said traditional manufacturing was struggling.

“There’s no denial that the hollowing out is not new. It’s been happening for a number of years. Every time there’s a recession, it feels like we lose another bunch and then it’s smaller again. It happens in waves every time when all these pressures mount, these businesses that have been just managing to scrape by just don’t anymore.”

Business NZ chief executive Katherine Rich said the decisions being made were tough.

“From time to time, businesses do have to make changes and respond to markets and I think that’s what’s happened here. That many of the challenges that that company faced have been faced by a lot of food manufacturers, increased costs, increase in all costs, and of course, changing market conditions.”

Some of the Heinz Wattie’s brands, such as Greggs, had been picked-up by other producers and would continue.

“I think it was really a matter of time. You can’t continue to make really significant losses over many years and expect businesses to keep a footprint here, but it is a challenge. Now, over a period of years, we’ve lost a number of the major fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers,” Rich said.

“You think of the large-scale factories such as Unilever, Colgate, Arnott’s, Cadbury, when it was owned finally by Mondelez. Many of them have made similar decisions to reduce their footprint. I think it’s a factor of globalisation and the fact that this is a very high-cost market to try and manufacture in.”

But Rich said she was still confident about food manufacturing in New Zealand generally.

“If you’re looking at some of our manufacturers who export more in the commodity space, they continue to thrive serving markets in Australia, Asia, and across the globe.”

She said there were also entrepreneurs starting businesses with a good idea and pitching them to supermarkets.

“I’m really confident about the future of food manufacturing generally because we’re such a great place for high-quality ingredients. And we do have a growing market, we’ve got 5 million mouths to feed. But the main thing we have to do is not take our eye off the ball when it comes to trying to reduce the costs of doing business here,” Rich said.

“That’s why the work of the Ministry for Regulation and some of the government reforms to reduce business costs and make it easier to do business here are so important.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/13/watties-a-big-name-reminder-of-pressure-on-nz-manufacturers/

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And best drama goes to… this year’s totally unhinged award season

Source: Radio New Zealand

With both the Seattle Opera and the Music Center in Los Angeles announcing they launched discount codes like “TIMOTHEE” and “CHALAMET” for their upcoming fine arts performances, an undeniable question is begging to be answered: How in the world did we get here?

Between Timothée Chalamet’s now totally out-of-control “balletgate,” drama over his fellow Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley’s feelings about cats and a terribly handled incident at the BAFTAs involving a racist slur – not to mention a wide-open and extremely late Academy Awards ceremony still to come this Sunday – the 2026 award season has been, in a word, messy.

RNZ will live blog the Oscars on Monday, 16 March kicking off with the red carpet then into the awards show with plenty of witty banter and entertainment intel.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture for Hamnet.

VALERIE MACON

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/13/and-best-drama-goes-to-this-years-totally-unhinged-award-season/

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Decorated East Coast fencing champion chases three-peat at Rural Games

Source: Radio New Zealand

Against the clock, reigning champion Tim Garrick stays calm under pressure. supplied

Tim Garrick could win his third New Zealand Speed Fencing Championship at the Rural Games in Palmerston North this weekend.

The Gisborne fencing contractor competes in the lesser-known sport of speed fencing which he likens to its higher-profile cousin, competition shearing.

With the Golden Shears recently in the spotlight, Garrick said he could only dream of the recognition the top shearers received.

But he was seeing a rising interest in speed fencing.

“I guess in a lot of ways it’s similar to shearing. It’s what the country is built on and it’s quite physical,” Garrick said.

“Especially competitions like the Rural Games where it’s very public and livstreamed. It’s quite cool because a lot of people get to see it and it gets a lot of exposure.”

The sport showcased strength, speed, and precision with competitors racing to build a fence before officials made their final deliberations.

Strong, agile athletes are seen racing around the field carrying posts, and using heavy machinery and wires to construct a fence in less than 15 minutes.

The boring machines are roaring as the competitors dig holes in the ground for heavy posts, set diagonal stays, and string the fence.

Sheep dog trials are also on the schedule and will take place in The Square, Palmerston North. Megan Ellis

Going in as the two-time defending champion, the adrenaline rush would carry him through the competition.

“It’s one of my favourite comps of the the year. You have 10 competitiors whittled down to the three that compete in the final,” said Garrick, who also won the Golden Pliers at Fieldays in 2024.

Garrick had been rushed off his feet recently in the hill country working on sheep and beef farms around the Gisborne region.

The work was flowing freely with farmers putting their rising red meat returns into fences. He was booked solidly for the next six months.

“The biggest influence lately has been the good stock prices, the phone’s been ringing non-stop,” he said.

“Farmers are feeling good about themselves and willing to spend a lot of money.”

And the demand for fencing was so great he had to be “careful” he did not take on more than he could handle.

And as a bonus, his work on the farm kept him in tip top shape for the competition stage.

The Rural Games kick off in Palmerston North this weekend with shearing, timber sports, sheep dog trials and even gumboot throwing.

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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/2026/03/13/decorated-east-coast-fencing-champion-chases-three-peat-at-rural-games/

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Super Rugby preview: Rivalry round, Love returns

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tensions have reached boiling point between the Blues and Moana ahead of their clash at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

It’s rivalry round, and shots have been fired before kick off.

The weekend sees a trio of rivalries, two traditional grudge matches, and one burgeoning beef.

Moana Coach Tana Umaga has unleashed a tirade against the Blues before the two Auckland based sides go to battle at Eden Park on Sunday.

Tensions between the two teams are at boiling point, after Moana picked up a stunning upset win over the Blues in 2025.

However, they will be without the Albany crowd and their inspirational leader Ardie Savea, who drove the victory with one of the greatest individual performances in Super Rugby history.

It was another rough week for Moana, who were soundly beaten by the Chiefs in Hamilton with Damian McKenzie returning to run the show in Hamilton.

They head across the bridge to Eden Park to meet a resurgent Blues side, fresh off a decisive victory over the Crusaders.

Beauden Barrett also made a timely return for the Blues, immediately asserting himself in the 10 jersey.

Auckland bragging rights go on the line at Eden.

Elsewhere we have the iconic southern derby and the classic NSW vs Queensland showdown.

Jamie Joseph put the disappointment of missing out on the All Blacks job in the rear with a quality Highlanders win over the Force, but face a tough task as they prepare to meet a wounded Crusader’s side in Christchurch.

Rob Penney’s men have been clearly hurt by the Blues loss, with two of their players almost coming to blows at training this week.

They will again have their most lethal attacking weapon in Will Jordan back at fullback, the Hurricanes continued their dominance over the Waratahs last weekend, picking up their ninth win on the trot to shoot back up to third and kick off round four against the Force in Napier. The Chiefs sit the week out with a bye.

Selection notes

The big news out of Hurricanes camp is that All Blacks Ruben Love and Tyrel Lomax will make their comebacks in Hawke’s Bay. Former All Black prop Atu Moli will make his Moana Pasifika debut at prop while Malachi Wrampling has been named for a potential Blues debut off the bench.

Chay Fihaki will play his 50th match for the Crusaders.

Injury ward

Ngane Punivai was scratched from the Hurricanes 23 after sustaining a hamstring injury in training. Moana are still without both Jimmy Tupou and Solomon Alaimalo. Stephen Perofeta injured his calf in last week’s Blue’s warm up and will sit out the week while Patrick Tuipulotu still recovers from shoulder surgery. Jamie Hannah will need two weeks to recover from a knock to his hip while no word yet on when Cullen Grace may return for the Crusaders. Highlanders utility Jonah Lowe’s shoulder will keep him sidelined for at least a round.

Key stats

The Hurricanes have lost only one of their last 14 games against the Western Force.

The Brumbies have won all six of their encounters with the Fijian Drua.

Caleb Tangitau has scored 10 tries across his 11 Super Rugby Pacific games since the beginning of the 2025 season.

Caleb Clarke has scored five tries across his last two Super Rugby Pacific games after not scoring any in his previous 13 games.

Team lists

Hurricanes vs Force

Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 13 March

McLean Park, Napier

Live blog updates on RNZ

Hurricanes:

1. Pouri Rakete-Stones. 2. Jacob Devery. 3. Pasilio Tosi. 4. Caleb Delany. 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere. 6. Brad Shields. 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc). 8. Devan Flanders. 9. Cam Roigard. 10. Callum Harkin. 11. Fehi Fineanganofo. 12. Jordie Barrett (cc). 13.Jone Rova. 14. Bailyn Sullivan. 15. Josh Moorby.

Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua. 17. Xavier Numia. 18. Tyrel Lomax. 19. Warner Dearns. 20. Brayden Iose. 21. Jordi Viljoen. 22. Ruben Love. 23. Riley Higgins.

“We had a draw with them last year, went to golden point and weren’t good enough to get across the line, so we know it’s going to be a tough challenge.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw

Crusaders vs Highlanders

Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 14 March

Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Live blog updates on RNZ

Crusaders:

1. Finlay Brewis. 2. Codie Taylor. 3. Fletcher Newell. 4. Antonio Shalfoon. 5. Tahlor Cahill. 6. Ethan Blackadder. 7. Johnny Lee. 8. Christian Lio-Willie. 9. Noah Hotham. 10. Rivez Reihana. 11. Sevu Reece. 12. David Havili (c). 13. Braydon Ennor. 14. Chay Fihaki. 15. Will Jordan.

Bench: 16. George Bell. 17. George Bower. 18. Seb Calder. 19. Will Tucker. 20. Xavier Saifoloi. 21. Kyle Preston. 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku. 23. Dallas McLeod.

“As a team, as a group, we’ve got some really good strategies around trying to nullify their strengths and expose our strengths as often as we can.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney.

Highlanders:

1. Ethan de Groot. 2. Jack Taylor. 3. Angus Ta’avao. 4. Tomás Lavanini. 5. Mitch Dunshea. 6. Te Kamaka Howden. 7. Sean Withy. (cc) 8. Lucas Casey. 9. Folau Fakatava. 10. Cameron Millar. 11. Jona Nareki. 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc). 13. Tanielu Tele’a. 14. Caleb Tangitau. 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: 16. Soane Vikena. 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown. 18. Rohan Wingham. 19. Oliver Haig. 20. Nikora Broughton. 21. Veveni Lasaqa. 22. Adam Lennox. 23. Reesjan Pasitoa.

“Highlanders-Crusaders games are traditionally fairly tight. Typically it comes down to discipline, a few moments. It’s a close competition, so every match matters and the Crusaders in Christchurch is always one of the season’s biggest challenges.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.

Blues vs Moana

Kick-off: 3:35pm Sunday 15 March

Eden Park, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ

Blues:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 2. Kurt Eklund. 3. Marcel Renata. 4. Josh Beehre. 5. Sam Darry. 6. Anton Segner. 7. Dalton Papali’i (c). 8. Hoskins Sotutu. 9. Sam Nock. 10. Beauden Barrett. 11. Caleb Clarke. 12. Xavi Taele. 13. AJ Lam. 14. Codemeru Vai. 15. Cole Forbes.

Bench: 16. James Mullan. 17. Mason Tupaea. 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Laghlan McWhannell. 20. Malachi Wrampling. 21. Taufa Funaki. 22. Pita Ahki. 23. Zarn Sullivan.

“We were really pleased with the effort against the Crusaders, but the challenge for us now is to back that up. There’s good energy in the group this week and some extra players have an opportunity to take their chance.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.

Moana:

1. Tito Tuipulotu. 2. Millennium Sanerivi. 3. Atu Moli, on debut. 4. Tom Savage. 5. Allan Craig. 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c). 7. Semisi Paea. 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. 9. Augustine Pulu. 10. Patrick Pellegrini. 11. Glen Vaihu. 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo. 13. Tevita Latu. 14. Tevita Ofa. 15. William Havili.

Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada. 17. Monu Moli. 18. Lolani Faleiva. 19. Veikoso Poloniati. 20. Dominic Ropeti. 21. Joel Lam. 22. Ngani Laumape. 23. Tuna Tuitama.

“We’ve got nothing against the playing group, nothing against the staff that work there. But the people that make decisions have made it very hard for us to survive over here. That’s why they (the Blues) are our greatest rivals because they want us to see us not do well, not thrive. I struggle with that when rugby’s in a place where we’re at.” – Moana coach Tana Umaga.

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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/2026/03/13/super-rugby-preview-rivalry-round-love-returns/

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NZ Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck eyes 150th game for NRL club

Source: Radio New Zealand

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will bring up 150 games for the Warriors this week. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

NRL: NZ Warriors v Canberra Raiders

Kickoff 8pm, Friday, 13 March

Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Live blog updates on RNZ

The rollercoaster rugby league ride of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may be nearing an end – or not – but it takes one more twist, as he brings up 150 games for NZ Warriors.

After bringing up his ton during Covid incarceration, the former Sydney Rooster forsook the 13-man code to chase his All Blacks dream, a move that seemed to slam the door shut on that chapter of his decorated career.

“Going to rugby was awesome, I enjoyed it and was lucky I got to do it,” he reflected. “I got to don the black jersey, the Blues jersey and the hoops [Auckland] jersey.

“I didn’t expect to come back. I was all set to go to Japan and was looking forward to that transition, but sat down with the current coaches here and leaned in, when they started talking about rugby league.

“Now I’m stoked I’m back and no regrets.”

Tuivasa-Sheck was already a complete player, when he arrived at Mt Smart, after 84 games for the Roosters, winning Dally M Winger of the Year in 2013 and then Fullback of the Year in 2015.

He helped Sydney to the championship in 2013 and became an international superstar with the Kiwis.

A knee injury curtailed his first season in Auckland after just seven games, but the following year, new coach Stephen Kearney named him captain.

“We didn’t start too well in 2016, had a bit of success a few years after that, then Covid hit and now we’re here playing finals footy, so we’ve been all over the place and I’ve enjoyed every minute,” RTS recalled. “Pretty stoked to be here now.”

“I think I’ve grown massively. I came over as a marquee signing, I was still 22, 23 and got thrown into captaincy … I’ve grown a lot.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck heads for the corner flag against the Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

“I felt like I matured over the years and learnt a lot. So many lessons I’ve learnt at this club and I think it will make me better for the future and for my own family.”

After his two-year hiatus in union, Tuivasa-Sheck, 32, tried to re-invent himself in the midfield, where he had played for the All Blacks, but has settled back onto the wing, where he began his career.

When he runs out onto Go Media Stadium on Friday to face Canberra Raiders, he joins select company as the 13th to log 150 appearances for the Warriors.

“We joke around, because he’s the oldest in the team now,” revealed teammate Chanel Harris-Tavita. “He doesn’t look like it, but we do joke around.

“He’s a legend of the game, he’s done everything there is and, personally, I’ve looked up to him my whole career. He was a fullback when I debuted and to rub shoulders with him this week is pretty special.”

Harris-Tavita plays on the same left edge as his idol and was the beneficiary of some deft playmaking for a try double against the Roosters in last week’s season-opener.

“As an edge, we like to compete for everything and the ball’s never dead,” he said. “My first try, the ball went to the ground, he capitalised on the opportunity and I was there to pick up the scraps.

“The same happened for my second try, which was nice.”

Tuivasa-Sheck hoped those around him might return the favour this week.

“That’s the plan,” Harris-Tavita grinned. “It doesn’t always go to plan, but we’ll try and get him one for his 150th.”

Tuivasa-Sheck’s future with the Warriors is uncertain, with his current contract ending this season and no extension in sight, as he considers a possible switch back to union for the rebel R360 competition, now delayed until 2028.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at Warriors training. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Last month, he insisted he wasn’t thinking about what came next, just the here and now. Coach Andrew Webster went on record as saying he hoped his star never left the club.

“I think his journey is unbelievable,” Webster said. “He started as a young local boy in the area, obviously he went off and progressed, learnt his trade and came back to captain the club.

“He’s done almost everything in the game, became an All Black. He’s come back and added so much value … the amount of times he’s won Player of the Year, the energy he brings, the experience he brings and just the workrate as well.

“I’m really happy for him – a local boy getting to play 150 games for the club where he grew up is awesome.”

How many more games did Tuivasa-Sheck think he had for the club, tested the reporter.

“We’ll find out, eh,” he winked. “We’ll see how this body goes.”

He didn’t bite.

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Beef, lamb, onions and wine: Kiwi dinner time staples in huge demand offshore

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Five years after Who’s Eating NZ, this series revisits where our food goes but this time through the lens of Kiwi breakfast, lunch and dinner staples. We track how much of what we produce is eaten here, and who has a seat at our global table during meal times. Today, it’s dinner time.

American fast food consumers, elderly health-conscious Japanese, and middle-class Chinese families all have one thing in common: a taste for New Zealand beef.

Foreign consumers, as a group, buy about 89 percent of the beef from Kiwi farms. It’s good business – in the past five years export earnings have increased 36 percent from $3.6 billion in 2020 to $5b in 2025.

China’s burgeoning middle class saw it grow to become the number one buyer – in 2019 it bought 46 percent of New Zealand’s beef exports. That has eased to 18 percent in 2025 and a new 55 percent tariff suggests that’s unlikely to bounce back. The tariff only applies to exports beyond a quota amount, however, and New Zealand has supplied less than that amount in recent years.

Tariffs are also part of the picture in the US, another big buyer of our beef.

The US imposed a 10 percent tariff on New Zealand beef in April 2025, which it raised to 15 percent in August. In November it dropped the tariff to 1 percent. Despite the chaos, the US still accounted for 43 percent of export earnings from beef last year.

Outgoing Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said domestically US beef production was at a 70-year low as consumption was climbing.

“This has resulted in North America overtaking China as our largest beef market. New Zealand is a complementary trading partner, being an important source of lean beef that is mixed with US domestic grain-fed beef to produce burger patties.”

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said cattle numbers in the US are low and there are biosecurity concerns related to the screwworm parasite, which has limited cattle coming in from Mexico.

“They’re having to look overseas. New Zealand’s got beef and the Americans are willing to pay some top dollar for it.”

Demand from overseas can push prices up at home, said Olsen. Farmers want top dollar for their produce and will sell to whoever is paying the most.

“Our prices have to trend domestically in line, to a degree, with international prices.”

It’s not a case of being fair.

“It’s economically rational. You find me a business that would say, ‘Well you know what, I’m going to leave a whole lot of money on the table by only selling domestically and ignore the international money’.”

The demand for dairy, which saw butter prices rise in 2025, is levelling off, but Olsen believes international demand will continue to grow for protein, such as beef.

A trend in healthcare for aging populations is a greater focus on protein, with countries like Japan suggesting older people eat more protein rich food. He thinks suppliers will struggle to keep pace with this demand.

The price of sirloin steak increased 27 percent last year, and mince by 17 percent, he said.

“New Zealanders will continue to face high protein costs.”

If you imagine New Zealand’s lamb meat as a plate of 10 meatballs, Kiwis would get to eat half of a meatball. If the meatballs were mutton, the amount left for Kiwis is even smaller, just 2 percent remains here and 98 percent is exported.

So who is gobbling all the meatballs off our plate? For many years, the United Kingdom was the biggest buyer. But since 2013, China has been top, increasing its spending from $119 million in 2010 to a high of $2b in 2021, when it was eating half of the lamb meatballs on our metaphorical plate. This has since dropped to approximately $1b – two-and-half of those meaty morsels. The US is now second, buying the equivalent of one-and-a-half of our 10 meatballs, ahead of the UK.

Just as they sit unassumingly on the plate of many Kiwi dinner go-tos, the hardy onion is a quiet achiever of New Zealand’s primary produce export earners. Their long shelf life, coupled with an opposite season to the northern hemisphere makes them a valued item on the other side of the world.

In 2025 we sent around 80 percent of our onions offshore, leaving just 20 percent to be eaten in Aotearoa. This amounted to 167,000 tonnes of onions exported, earning $143m.

Unlike other exports, where one country will often account for almost a third of all earnings, buyers for onions are more evenly spread. Indonesia and Malaysia are big onion buyers, along with Germany and the Netherlands, however in 2025 Taiwan took top spot.

If Kiwi onions are a sleeper hit with foreign diners, wine is the rockstar. For every 10 glasses we could fill, nine of them are sipped offshore.

The US, UK and Australia are the biggest buyers, though China’s spending on New Zealand wine has slowly increased.

Exports are down slightly from a high of $2.24b in 2022 to $2.17b in 2025.

NZWine’s latest annual report labels exports “sluggish”, citing a slow global economy and weak wine markets exacerbated by tariffs in the US and taxes in the UK.

The report identifies emerging markets, such as China and South Korea, as areas with the strongest growth.

Where the data came from

Beef: Beef + Lamb New Zealand from September 2019 to September 2020 and StatsNZ trade data for items with a harmonised system code between 201100000 to 202331999.

Sheep: Beef + Lamb New Zealand from September 2019 to September 2020 and StatsNZ trade data for items with a harmonised system code between 204100000 to 204431000.

Onions: Onions New Zealand Inc and StatsNZ trade data items with a harmonised system description containing “Vegetables, alliaceous; onions”.

Wine: NZ Wine and StatsNZ trade data items with a harmonised system description containing “Wine”.

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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/2026/03/13/beef-lamb-onions-and-wine-kiwi-dinner-time-staples-in-huge-demand-offshore/

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KiwiRail hopes to have stricken Kaiārahi ferry sailing by next week after technical fault

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Kaiārahi has been out of service because of an intermittent technical fault. Interislander

KiwiRail hopes to have a stricken Interislander ferry back in service by the end of the weekend.

The Kaiārahi has been out of service since an intermittent technical fault recurred on Tuesday night when the vessel was berthed in Picton.

On Thursday, afternoon sailings on the Connemara ferry owned by rival company Bluebridge, were also cancelled but resumed in the early hours of Friday.

Interislander said engineers had identified the cause and a replacement component from overseas was due to arrive on Friday.

It said operating with one vessel was challenging, particularly during a busy period, but the company has managed it before.

KiwiRail spokesperson Taru Sawhney said eight additional sailings of the Kaitaki would be put on, on Sunday and Monday, when the vessel was due for a scheduled layby.

Foot passengers on the cancelled sailings of the Kaiārahi had been accommodated on Kaitaki sailings, mostly on the same day.

Sawhney said around 1300 private vehicles were affected by the Kaiārahi outage and those customers were being offered a full refund, the opportunity to rebook at no additional cost and compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of the outage.

While Kaiārahi was out of service, Interislander was prioritising urgent freight that could not travel across the Cook Strait any other way.

“We have offered passengers booked on Kaitaki an incentive to rebook at a later date, to create more space for that freight. Some passengers have taken this offer up.

“We are actively monitoring capacity and working with all of our customers to move as many passengers and as much freight as we can as quickly as possible.

“Once again, we assure everyone we are doing all we can to minimise the disruption as much as possible and thank all our customers and passengers for their patience.”

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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/2026/03/13/kiwirail-hopes-to-have-stricken-kaiarahi-ferry-sailing-by-next-week-after-technical-fault/

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Calls to let workers stay home to beat fuel prices

Source: Radio New Zealand

Some countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, have urged people to work from home to save fuel. 123RF

Government is being asked to let the public sector work from home where possible in the face of rising fuel prices – and some private employers are considering what support could be offered.

Petrol prices have increased rapidly in recent weeks as war in the Middle East put pressure on oil supplies.

Some countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, have urged people to work from home to save fuel.

Public Sector Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the New Zealand government should do the same.

“We’re calling on the New Zealand government to take note of these overseas examples and also encourage public sector workers in New Zealand to work from home,” Fitzsimons said.

“Working from home in this environment has lots of benefits. It will reduce the demand on fuel. It will mean more workers are able to get by and don’t suffer the shock of increased petrol prices.”

She said with 91 hitting $3 a litre in some places, many people were struggling to get by.

“Government could easily indicate to the public sector that more workers should work from home and it would overnight have a difference for those people,” Fitzsimons said.

In the private sector, ANZ said its flexible work policy offered options for employees, giving the majority the ability to work remotely up to 50 percent of the day.

“We understand flexibility doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone and flexible arrangements will vary depending on the employee’s role, what part of the business they work in, where they are, personal circumstances, and available technology,” a spokesperson said.

“ANZ staff who need extra assistance can talk to their manager about short-term support options which may be available to them.”

Woolworths said it was monitoring the situation but operating as usual at this stage.

Fonterra said it offered flexible working arrangements for office-based roles and encouraged employees to have an open discussion with their manager about their situation if required.

Employers and Manufacturers Association head of advocacy Alan McDonald said it was likely to be considered by more employers if prices rose significantly further, or the situation continued for longer.

Employment lawyers said even those whose employers were not openly offering work from home solutions could request it, if they were feeling budget pressure.

“You can always ask,” said Alastair Espie, at Duncan Cotterill. “The question is whether they have to say yes and the starting point will be they probably don’t necessarily have to.

“If your contract says your place of work is the employer’s premises or offices or site or whatever, then any deviation from that would need to be by agreement.

“If the employer says no, you can look at making say a formal flexible working request. But that’s a sort of a longer process and it’s not necessarily just going to solve it on a day-to-day basis in the short term.”

Alison Maelzer, a partner at Hesketh Henry, said a formal flexible working application was a more structured way of making a request, and there was a framework within which an employer must consider it.

“Many employers and employees will prefer to have a more informal conversation, at least in the first instance. Obviously, working from home will not be possible for all employees, in all roles. However, where a request can be accommodated, this may help employers with retention, employee engagement, and productivity.”

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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/2026/03/13/calls-to-let-workers-stay-home-to-beat-fuel-prices/

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Vietnam Airlines Steps Up Market Promotion Efforts in Europe

Source: Media Outreach

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Vietnam Airlines officially marked its entry into the Dutch market today with a high-profile promotion event at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, announcing the much-anticipated launch of nonstop flights between Hanoi and Amsterdam.

Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft.

The event, joined by the Ambassador of Vietnam to the Netherlands, Mr. Ngo Huong Nam, served as a strategic platform to introduce the new route to key European travel partners. The gathering highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal as a top-tier destination and reinforced the airline’s mission to bridge Vietnam with Europe’s most vital economic hubs.

Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft. As the first-ever direct link between the two nations, this service will drastically reduce travel time and position Amsterdam as a primary gateway for passengers traveling from Europe to Southeast Asia.

The flight schedule is optimized for maximum convenience, offering seamless onward connections from Hanoi to Vietnam’s most iconic destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, as well as broader regional networks across Northeast Asia and Australia.

“Europe remains a cornerstone of our international growth strategy,” stated Nguyen Quang Trung, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines. “The launch of the Hanoi–Amsterdam route is a testament to our dedication to the European market. By strengthening our ties with regional travel and tourism partners, we are creating a vital corridor for trade, cultural exchange, and tourism between Vietnam and the Netherlands.”

With the addition of Amsterdam, Vietnam Airlines now operates 12 nonstop services to eight major European cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, and Moscow. This expansion solidifies the national flag carrier’s role in connecting Vietnam with global economic centers while showcasing the nation’s culture and hospitality to the world.

Hashtag: #VietnamAirlines

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/13/vietnam-airlines-steps-up-market-promotion-efforts-in-europe/

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Building New Zealand: Focus on the construction industry – Stats NZ news story

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/building-new-zealand-focus-on-the-construction-industry-stats-nz-news-story/

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Business employment data: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/business-employment-data-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-information-release/

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Business financial data: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/business-financial-data-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-information-release/

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VinFast and the Rise of a New Gulf Lifestyle

Source: Media Outreach

As Gulf cities hardwire sustainability into daily life, VinFast is shaping an electric lifestyle that feels like a smart, seamless routine, with its climate-ready design, long-term warranty confidence and software-driven convenience woven into everyday driving.

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Over the past five years, GCC countries have made EV adoption a clear priority. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 have moved from policy language to pavement. Master-planned districts in Riyadh are wired for electric charging from day one. Residential towers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi market EV-ready parking as a premium amenity. In Doha and Manama, public chargers now stand in mall basements and along waterfront boulevards, quietly normalizing a different way to refuel.

With that, a new lifestyle is taking shape. The clearest sign is how refueling is moving into the home, often happening quietly overnight. In the not-so-distant future, some drivers may struggle to recall the last time they stood beside a pump in the heat, watching the numbers climb under fluorescent lights.

Into this transition steps VinFast, a young global brand intent on making those new habits stick. Its focus is to make the interactions around them feel at least as convenient as traditional ownership, if not more so. In other words, to make EV living workable at scale, for everyone.

The VF 8 sits at the center of that effort. Fine-tuned for Gulf conditions, it pairs vegan leather seating with ventilation and heating functions suited to dramatic seasonal swings. Dual-zone climate control integrates air-quality management and ionization, a practical feature in cities where dust storms are not rare events. The cabin is anchored by a large 15.6-inch infotainment display, sized generously enough that drivers are not left squinting at navigation prompts or climate settings mid-traffic.

More subtly, the VF 8 encourages new expectations around what a car should do. Over-the-air update capability allows the vehicle’s software to improve over time. Driver profiles synchronize settings and climate preferences, useful in households where one vehicle rotates between work commutes, school runs and weekend trips. Smart modes such as pet mode and camp mode extend the car’s role beyond transport, accommodating both urban density and the region’s fondness for desert getaways.

VinFast has also worked to address the psychological side of the green transition. An expectation-surpassing element of the VinFast ownership experience is its warranty package: a 10-year or 200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited battery warranty and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 kilometers, all structured to make durability and cost predictability part of the standard equation rather than an added extra. A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with PlusX Electric in the UAE focuses on portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside support.

Taken together, these elements frame sustainability as simply another way of moving through the world, rather than an act of sacrifice, and arguably a more efficient one at that. Fewer service visits. Predictable maintenance costs. Charging woven into the domestic routine.

Across the Gulf, greener living is unfolding in just that manner. The progress can be gradual, almost mundane, yet it is unmistakably forward. VinFast’s role is to ensure that when a driver chooses electric mobility, the surrounding experience feels stable, supported and suited to regional realities.

Hashtag: #Vinfast

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/vinfast-and-the-rise-of-a-new-gulf-lifestyle/

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Regal Partners Completes Share Placement to Support Business Expansion in Southeast Asia

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Regal Partners Holdings Limited (“Regal Partners” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries as the “Group”, stock code: 1575.HK) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a placement of 560,000,000 new shares at a price of HK$0.05 per share, raising net proceeds of approximately HK$28 million.

The net proceeds from this placement will strengthen the Group’s financial position and provide vital resources for ongoing operations and expansion plans. 65% of the proceeds will be allocated to expanding the Group’s production capacity and supply chain in Southeast Asia. This initiative involves purchasing additional equipment, new leasing of the production site, and hiring more personnel and hence expanding floor area and upgrading the production capabilities. By mid-2026, the Group anticipates increasing its capacity to meet rising demand, particularly from the North American market. 15% of the proceeds will be used to develop regional showrooms functioning as sales centres in Southeast Asia to promote products, connect with export buyers, and generate new business opportunities, while the remainder will support the Group’s general working capital.

Following a comprehensive business restructuring in 2025, which included strategic initiatives focusing on overseas production expansion, broadening customer outreach, resource reallocation, and product enhancements, the Group has established a robust foundation for sustainable development. The net proceeds from the placement will accelerate the strategic expansion in Southeast Asia, enhancing offshore manufacturing capabilities and bolstering supply chain resilience. These expansion efforts, targeted for completion by mid-2026, will fortify regional operations and long-term scalability. Concurrently, the Group will continue investing in sales, marketing, and brand visibility, including participation in major trade shows such as High Point Market and the establishment of additional regional showrooms to broaden its global clientele. By increasing production capacity and market presence, Regal Partners aims to enhance competitiveness, attract a diverse customer base, and respond efficiently to global demand.

Mr. Chong Tsz Ngai, Chairman and Executive Director of Regal Partners Holdings Limited, stated, “We sincerely appreciate the support from the capital markets. This placement will significantly strengthen our working capital, enabling us to respond to rapidly changing market demands and advance our next phase of expansion. Following a year of focused restructuring in 2025, we are now accelerating production enhancements while intensifying our business development and marketing efforts. We are also very grateful for the support of our existing and new customers. We anticipate a steady increase in order flow throughout 2026 and onwards, with expansion benefits expected to yield positive results in the near future. We remain committed to solidifying our operational foundation and capturing new growth opportunities to create values our customers and shareholders.”

https://www.theregalpartners.com/hk/

Hashtag: #RegalPartners

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/regal-partners-completes-share-placement-to-support-business-expansion-in-southeast-asia/

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The Caravel Group, International Maritime Institute (IMI), and Fleet Management Celebrate Significant Progress on the 1st Anniversary of Working Together as One to Train a New Generation of Future-Ready Seafarers

Source: Media Outreach

A year of partnership between Caravel, IMI, and Fleet Management delivers strengthened training and expanded career pathways, broadening opportunities for global maritime professionals and providing much-needed talent for a rapidly transforming industry

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Today marks a significant milestone for the global shipping industry as The Caravel Group, celebrates the first anniversary of the International Maritime Institute (IMI) joining its family. This milestone marks a strategic move by The Caravel Group in addressing the critical talent shortage affecting the global shipping industry, while supporting India’s national goal to grow its share of seafarers to 20% of the global workforce by 2030. By combining IMI’s proud 35-year legacy as a premier maritime institute with sister company Fleet Management Limited’s operational excellence and depth, The Caravel Group has forged an integrated ecosystem that fosters the highest standard in training, broadens career opportunities for seafarers, and supports sustainable operations for the shipping industry.

The Caravel Group has upgraded IMI’s facilities and invested in its curriculum, including adding advanced simulator training and specialised courses in alternative fuels, emissions reduction, and digital navigation. This year, IMI has also initiated 13 Pre-Sea batches and graduated 400 Pre-Sea cadets, sending many into professional placements with Fleet Management, one of the world’s largest shipping management companies.

Dr. Harry S. Banga, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group, said: ” With the International Maritime Institute and Fleet Management under The Caravel Group, we have strengthened the connection between education and enterprise. Fleet Management’s global operations provide real world exposure that anchors IMI’s training in practical experience and opens pathways into professional careers.”

To mark the strategic importance of IMI to The Caravel Group and long-term commitment to maritime excellence, IMI has unveiled a new logo that honours IMI’s 35-year legacy while bringing it visually closer to Fleet Management through shared colours and design elements. Its new tagline, “Anchored in Maritime Excellence, Broadening Horizons,” underscores IMI’s core mission of providing seafarers with exceptional training to unlock a world of opportunities.

Pioneering an Integrated Ecosystem that Benefits Seafarers and Shipowners

For Fleet Management, the integration of IMI directly enhances its ability to secure a sustainable and high-quality talent pipeline. The partnership ensures aspiring talents receive unparalleled real-world exposure and mentorships from its senior officers, with training that is aligned with operational requirements. This results in robust career pathways, from classroom to vessel, providing direct access to highly competent seafarers, a significant advantage for its customers. In a sector facing crew shortages, it means a reliable supply of professionals who maintain the highest standards of safety and performance across its managed fleet.

This partnership also ensures that the next generation of seafarers is fully prepared to navigate modern fleets, comply with evolving regulations, and operate the advanced technologies that the industry will need onboard ships in the future.

Elevating Maritime Education through Innovation and Future-Readiness

With global seafarer talent shortages, The Caravel Group, IMI, and Fleet Management will continue to develop the next generation of global maritime professionals and ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability in the years to come.

The Caravel Group is committed to preserving IMI’s legacy in training excellence and ensuring that IMI’s world-class education remains at the forefront of industry changes and advancements, preparing seafarers for the challenges and opportunities of modern shipping. For Fleet’s customers, the quality of training means customers could continue to count on Fleet to deliver quality of manning, operational safety, and vessel performance.

Nurturing a Diverse and Resilient Global Seafaring Workforce

Building on IMI’s proud legacy, Fleet Management is investing in a workforce that embodies competence, character, and confidence. Its commitment extends to championing diversity and inclusion. IMI now offers a scholarship on tuition fees exclusively for women cadets, directly contributing to India’s goal of 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030 and employs over 20,000 Indian seafarers within its 27,000-strong force. Furthermore, Fleet Management implements market-leading initiatives for seafarer wellbeing, including the Fleet Care team for mental health support, Gender Awareness training, a Women’s Network, and women-centric PPE, underscoring its dedication to a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all its seafarers.

One year in, Fleet Management stands committed to this strengthened partnership. With a new look for IMI, robust training and professional development pathways, and an unwavering commitment to safety, ingenuity, responsibility, and excellence, Fleet Management continues to shape the future of maritime professionals for its fleet and the global industry.

Hashtag: #FleetManagementLimited

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/the-caravel-group-international-maritime-institute-imi-and-fleet-management-celebrate-significant-progress-on-the-1st-anniversary-of-working-together-as-one-to-train-a-new-generation-of-future-rea/

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Wattie’s supplier fears for industry’s future after proposed closure of factories

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Wattie’s growers and staff are reeling following the company’s announcement of the proposed closure of three factories in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The move would see 350 workers made redundant, 220 suppliers affected, and the end of Wattie’s frozen vegetables, Gregg’s coffee and other household names.

Methven farmer Hamish Marr supplied Wattie’s with peas for around 20 years, and said the news was devastating for staff and growers alike.

It came as the arable industry was in real trouble, struggling with low prices for crops but record-high costs for inputs like fuel and fertiliser, he said.

“It’s another nail in the coffin for poor old NZ Inc, and the supermarket shopper ultimately will be buying something that’s not produced here.”

If he could not find an alternative buyer, Marr would consider abandoning peas for livestock, given the lack of options for arable crops.

Comments by Wattie’s that energy prices and red tape were behind the move were frustrating.

“It’s a little bit galling – we live in a country with some of the most sustainable electricity in the world, and yet we’re paying record high prices for electricity, so something needs to be looked at there I would think.”

He agreed compliance was an issue, and said it was only getting worse.

Associate energy minister Shane Jones. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Associate energy minister Shane Jones pointed the finger at electricity gentailers – the major companies that both generate and wholesale electricity.

“Look no further than the non-competitive structure, the non-competitive level of cost imposed on our manufacturing sector by the electricity sector. That’s why the electricity sector either has to be regulated or cut in half.”

Jones said job losses would be inevitable until the gentailers were broken up.

Heinz Wattie’s declined an interview, but in a statement managing director Andrew Donegan said the company was deeply aware of the impact the changes would have on people and their families, growers, suppliers and the community.

The decision was not taken lightly, but was a step that company had to take to position it for the future, Donegan said.

‘They’re heartbroken, gutted’

Forklift driver and E tū union delegate Kathy Perrin’s job was facing redundancy after more than 45 years at Wattie’s Hornby factory in Christchurch.

Everyone from young families juggling new babies and mortgages to workers who had been with the company for decades were facing redundancy, Perrin said.

Her colleagues were fearful of the tough job market and of what happened after the factory doors closed, she said.

Some had been there for several decades, and thought they would see out their working lives at Wattie’s.

The prospect of job hunting was daunting.

“My last interview for a job was in 1979.”

She wanted to see the government and union work alongside the company to support those who were made redundant with counselling, assistance with financial planning or help meeting rent or mortgage payments.

The union and local Wattie’s management were being supportive.

“This didn’t come from within New Zealand, it comes from outside – we’re globally owned.”

She said everyone was rallying around each other, but there was only so much the workers could do.

“They’re heartbroken, gutted.”

The closures came on the back of a wave of redundancies in the past year, including at Sealord, Griffins, Carter Holt Harvey and Smiths City amid economic downturn.

Company liquidations hit a 15-year-high last year.

‘I can’t make business stay in a district’

A “substantial” number of the suppliers were based in Canterbury’s Selwyn district, said mayor Lydia Gliddon.

She said the news had came as a surprise, and she been left with more questions than answers.

There was little the council could do to sway Wattie’s, but Gliddon said she would work to get more details.

“I can’t make business stay in a district, but I think it’s about advocacy, and connecting in and seeing actually what’s going on, trying to get some clarity about those contracts and what happens to them.”

Selwyn MP and associate minister of agriculture Nicola Grigg said the government has been focused on reducing unnecessary red tape and regulation for growers and farmers.

The decision would come as a blow for growers and distributors who were already grappling with rising fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East, and who had experienced losses in recent storms.

Wattie’s was founded in 1934 in Hawke’s Bay, starting with jams and expanding to fruits and vegetables.

H.J. Heinz Company, as it was known at the time, purchased the company in 1992.

In September 2025, Wattie’s reduced its peach production, cutting the contracts of around 20 Hawke’s Bay suppliers in the face of what it claimed was dumping from cheaper markets.

The Minister of Commerce confirmed that last month, after an investigation found Chinese company J&G International Co. Ltd had been dumping peaches, causing “material injury to the New Zealand industry.”

The company also announced in 2025 that it would also source fewer tomatoes, beetroot and corn from local growers due to a drop in demand.

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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/2026/03/12/watties-supplier-fears-for-industrys-future-after-proposed-closure-of-factories/

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Co-founder of Copenhagen’s Noma steps down after abuse allegations

Source: Radio New Zealand

The co-founder of Noma, several times crowned the best restaurant in the world, Danish chef Rene Redzepi said Thursday that he was stepping down, following reports of past abuse at his fabled restaurant.

“After more than two decades of building and leading this restaurant, I’ve decided to step away,” Redzepi said in an Instagram post.

Over the weekend, newspaper The New York Times published a story detailing witness testimony about stories of past abuse at Noma, including physical violence and episodes of public shaming.

The newspaper said it had interviewed 35 former employees about the period between 2009 and 2017.

“I have worked to be a better leader and Noma has taken big steps to transform the culture over many years. I recognize these changes do not repair the past,” Redzepi said.

He added that “an apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.”

Redzepi has previously admitted to losing his cool, including in 2015, when he said in an essay that “I’ve been a bully for a large part of my career”.

In February, former head of Noma’s fermentation lab, Jason Ignacio White, started posting about abuse he had witnessed while working at Noma and relayed stories sent to him by other former employees.

“Noma is not a story of innovation. It is a story of a maniac that would breed culture of fear, abuse & exploitation,” White said in an Instagram post in early February.

An acronym formed from the Danish words “nordisk” (Nordic) and “mad” (food), Noma first opened on a quay in central Copenhagen in 2003.

It closed in 2016 and reopened two years later in a slightly more remote neighbourhood of the Danish capital.

On Wednesday, Noma opened a pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles, but the opening was marked by a protest led by former employees.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/co-founder-of-copenhagens-noma-steps-down-after-abuse-allegations/

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Bridge Data Centres Plans Major Investment with Global Partners to Strengthen Singapore’s Position as Asia Pacific’s Leading AI Hub

Source: Media Outreach

  • Strategic Investment of S$3-5 billion in Singapore to advance AI-ready data centre developments, supporting over 2 GW of AI-ready capacity globally, and driving technological innovation with international ecosystem partners.
  • First-mover advantage as one of Asia Pacific’s top three hyperscale data centre developers, with proven track record delivering large-scale campus developments in Malaysia, Thailand and India, supporting regional AI and cloud demand.
  • Pioneering sustainable energy solutions, including Singapore’s first floating hydrogen power generation model leveraging the nation’s strengths in maritime transport, port infrastructure and global energy supply chains and research into nuclear energy as a future clean power source for data centres.
  • Building an integrated innovation ecosystem in Singapore through partnerships with universities, research institutions and global technology companies, while supporting job creation and talent development initiatives for around 3,000 students and professionals.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Bridge Data Centres (BDC), a Singapore-headquartered digital infrastructure platform backed by Bain Capital, has announced ambitious plans to invest S$3-5 billion in Singapore to advance next-generation digital infrastructure and strengthen the country’s position as a leading AI and cloud hub in Asia Pacific.

BDC had announced its new strategic brand identity in early 2026 that reflects the Company’s position of being a leading hyperscale and AI-infrastructure builder with a growing network of mega-campus developments in Asia Pacific. With close to a decade of experience developing high quality data centres, BDC’s new brand identity reflects BDC’s reputation as platform built on disciplined execution, certainty of delivery, and the ability to scale with customers.

As AI and high-density workloads accelerate across Asia Pacific, customers are looking for partners who can offer world-class capabilities and local agility, provide bespoke solutions at scale, and deliver and operate with a proven track record.

With Singapore serving as its global headquarters, BDC is uniquely positioned to support hyperscale customers and global technology companies seeking high-performance, sustainable and scalable data centre platforms across Asia Pacific, while enabling global technology companies to establish and expand their presence in Singapore as they develop AI and digital capabilities in the region.

Over the past decade, BDC has established itself as one of Asia Pacific’s leading digital infrastructure developers and operators. The Company currently operates and develops hyperscale campuses across Malaysia, Thailand and India.

Building on strong relationships with global hyperscale customers and ecosystem partners, BDC is on track to expand its regional capacity to approximately 2 GW by 2030.

By deepening its investments in Singapore, BDC aims to support customers seeking world-class digital infrastructure expertise, strong technology partnerships and integrated energy solutions that enable the sustainable growth of AI workloads.

First-mover advantage

BDC is among the first data centre developers to foray into Malaysia, where the Company has several large-scale data centre campuses – both operational and under development.

BDC’s flagship MY06 campus is the Company’s first project in Johor, as well as the state’s first hyperscale data centre development. In addition, BDC is the first data centre developer in Southeast Asia to adopt a build-to-suit (BTS) model for hyperscale data centre construction. BDC was also among the first hyperscale operators in the region to deploy advanced liquid cooling technologies at scale, including cold plate liquid cooling, to support high-density and AI-driven workloads. BDC’s suite of sustainability initiatives at MY06 enabled the facility to achieve an annualised Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of below 1.2.

BDC is also the first in Southeast Asia to incorporate Prefabricated, Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) construction, an innovative method that assembles large building sections off site. This enabled BDC to complete MY06 within eight months, which is 40 per cent faster than traditional methods, while reducing on-site dust, waste and noise. This strategy is one of BDC’s key competitive advantages to support the growing needs of hyperscale customers in the region, including Singapore, who need to rapidly scale to meet increasing demand for more capacity to power AI-workloads.

BDC has built Malaysia’s first large-scale Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to treat effluent and convert it into high grade effluent water to cool its upcoming 400MW campus in Ulu Tiram, Johor. The WTP applies advanced Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) technologies to deliver superior water recovery and quality. Since commencing operations in 2025, the WTP has been significantly reducing reliance on potable water. It further strengthens the long-term resilience of BDC’s operations and supports Johor’s broader environmental agenda.

The WTP has also attracted interest from regional public agencies. In 2025, BDC hosted a technical visit by representatives from PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, who were presented with an overview of the plant’s design and its use of advanced membrane technologies for sustainable water reuse in data centre operations.

BDC’s MY-06 Campus (Building 1) has achieved Singapore’s BCA Green Mark Platinum Award granted under the BCA-IMDA Green Mark International for Data Centres 2024 (GMDC: 2024) framework. The BCA Green Mark Award recognises developers, building owners and individuals who have made outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability in the built environment. BDC is the first data centre operator to achieve this recognition for a facility based outside of Singapore. Beyond project certification, BDC has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BCA International (BCAI) to support the international adoption of Singapore’s Green Mark standards in global data centre developments. Through this partnership, BDC will promote Singapore’s sustainable building standards globally while reinforcing the country’s position as a leading AI and green digital infrastructure hub in the region.

These capabilities are aligned with Singapore’s Green Data Centre (DC) Roadmap, which emphasises energy efficiency, sustainable resource use and the integration of green energy to support the growth of digital infrastructure. BDC’s experience in delivering high-efficiency campuses positions it well to contribute to these objectives through practical, deployable solutions.

Pioneering energy solutions

As AI workloads drive the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, energy resilience, data security and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. BDC is advancing a range of initiatives to explore alternative energy pathways and strengthen long-term power strategies.

A key collaboration is with Concord New Energy (CNE), where the partners are jointly developing Singapore’s first floating hydrogen power generation solution tailored for next-generation AI digital infrastructure, marking a significant milestone in advancing low-carbon energy pathways for the data centre sector.

BDC and CNE will also collaborate with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to support the development of Singapore’s hydrogen ecosystem, accelerating research, engineering and the deployment of scalable clean energy technologies for digital infrastructure applications.

In addition, BDC is working with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR IHPC) and HY to evaluate the potential of nuclear energy as a long-term clean power source for data centres.

BDC’s alliance with A*STAR IHPC and HY will leverage advanced modelling and engineering expertise to explore innovative low-carbon energy pathways that will support Singapore’s sustainable digital growth while reinforcing the nation’s position as a trusted global technology hub.

BDC has also established partnerships with global leaders in energy and energy storage technologies, including CATL, EcoCeres, SK Innovation. Through these collaborations, the partners will jointly explore the establishment of innovation and research platforms to advance the development and pilot deployment of clean energy solutions such as hydrogen and biomass energy, as well as next-generation energy storage technologies designed for tropical climates. These initiatives aim to enhance thermal management, improve safety performance and increase the power density of data centre energy storage systems.

These collaborations and pilot initiatives will also contribute to talent development and workforce capability building in Singapore’s digital infrastructure and energy sectors. Through joint research programmes, technology pilots and knowledge exchange with universities, research institutions and industry partners, BDC aims to support the development of specialised expertise in areas such as advanced energy systems, sustainable data centre design, and next-generation cooling and energy storage technologies.

The initiatives are also expected to create high-value job opportunities in Singapore, spanning engineering, energy systems research, digital infrastructure operations and advanced technology development. By nurturing local talent and strengthening cross-disciplinary capabilities, these efforts will help build a robust talent pipeline to support Singapore’s growing AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

These partnerships represent a strategic step in BDC’s long-term roadmap to diversify power sourcing pathways, enhance energy security, and future-proof its Singapore data centre portfolio amid evolving grid constraints and decarbonisation dynamics. They also reinforce Singapore’s position as a regional hub for AI-ready digital infrastructure, while supporting the nation’s broader ambitions in sustainable energy innovation and green economic growth. Furthermore, these advancements accelerate Singapore’s ambition to achieve its net zero emissions goal by 2050.

Advancing technology and ecosystem growth

BDC is also pushing the envelope in innovative and sustainable cooling solutions through collaborations with ecosystem technology partners such as Vertiv, Terahop and Teracule, which are subsidiaries of Zhongji Innolight, as well as Delta Electronics and Supermicro.

Many of these partners are established leaders in data centre cooling, power systems and high-performance computing infrastructure, and are active participants in the broader AI infrastructure ecosystem, working closely with leading chipmakers to support next-generation compute environments.

Through its collaboration with Teracule and Terahop, the subsidiaries of Zhongji Innolight, BDC is exploring opportunities to jointly develop next-generation liquid cooling modules and high-performance optical connectivity solutions tailored for AI data centre environments. By combining Innolight’s expertise in optical modules and high-speed interconnect technologies with BDC’s experience in hyperscale data centre design and operations, the partners aim to advance integrated solutions that enhance thermal efficiency, data transmission performance and system reliability for high-density AI workloads.

The collaboration will also explore the establishment of joint research and development initiatives in Singapore, bringing together industry, academia and research institutions to support innovation in AI infrastructure technologies. Through this industry–academia-research collaboration model, the partners aim to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced cooling and connectivity technologies while contributing to Singapore’s broader push to strengthen research, talent development and innovation within the digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Together, these alliances focus on the development of advanced liquid cooling architectures, high-density GPU cooling solutions, and energy-optimised HVAC systems designed to support increasingly compute-intensive workloads. These technologies are critical in enabling the efficient operation of AI infrastructure, particularly as rack densities and thermal loads continue to rise in next-generation data centre environments.

Driving regional connectivity

As a Singapore-headquartered digital infrastructure platform, BDC continues to strengthen Singapore’s position as a regional hub for digital infrastructure and AI-driven innovation. With its highly developed connectivity ecosystem, robust regulatory environment and strong international network links, Singapore plays a central role in enabling the growth of the digital economy across Asia Pacific.

In this context, Singapore serves as one of the primary regional hubs, supporting high-value and latency-sensitive digital services such as edge computing deployments, international data traffic management and regional digital service platforms.

To support the burgeoning demand for AI and cloud computing across the region, complementary infrastructure resources across Asia Pacific can help provide additional capacity for compute-intensive workloads, including AI inference, machine learning and large-scale data processing. This cross-border model enables Singapore to remain the connectivity and innovation anchor of the ASEAN digital ecosystem, while regional infrastructure supports the scaling of digital capacity.

BDC’s collaborations with ecosystem partners, including major telecommunications companies and global technology firms, also help expand connectivity networks beyond Asia Pacific, further reinforcing Singapore’s role as a key regional interconnection hub.

One such ecosystem partner is Zenlayer, a leading global edge cloud and connectivity provider with a well-established customer base across Asia Pacific, North America and Europe. Through this partnership, BDC continues to strengthen its regional and international network connectivity anchored in Singapore.

This expanded network reach supports low-latency cross-border digital infrastructure integration, enabling hyperscalers to scale efficiently across markets while leveraging Singapore as one of the core regional gateways for digital services.

Catalysing Singapore’s AI-driven digital growth

Looking ahead, BDC will continue to leverage its operating model as a glocal platform, combining regional scale with deep local execution capabilities to expand across Asia Pacific. The Company’s strategy focuses on connecting key economic corridors, developing high-density, utility-integrated campuses, and working with ecosystem partners to align digital infrastructure growth with evolving energy pathways.

Anchored in Singapore as its strategic regional hub, BDC’s investments and partnerships contribute to the development of a robust digital infrastructure ecosystem that supports AI-driven workloads and cross-border connectivity.

BDC is also adopting an industry–academia–research collaboration mode， bringing together industry partners, universities and research institutes to accelerate innovation in AI infrastructure, advanced cooling technologies and sustainable energy systems. This integrated approach supports the development of new technologies while nurturing local talent and strengthening Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

BDC’s initiatives in hydrogen, low-carbon power solutions and energy storage further contribute to the growth of Singapore’s green economy, catalysing investment in sustainable energy infrastructure and support the transition towards lower-carbon digital operations.

BDC’s efforts support the creation of high-value jobs and the development of specialised technical expertise in Singapore, spanning engineering, digital infrastructure and advanced energy systems. In addition, BDC will work with universities, research institutes and industry partners to support talent development initiatives, including internships, training programmes and collaborative research opportunities, contributing to the development of a strong local talent pipeline for Singapore’s AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Collectively, these contributions reinforce Singapore’s position as a leading AI and digital infrastructure hub in Asia Pacific, underpinned by resilient, efficient and sustainable infrastructure.

Hashtag: #BridgeDataCentres #Singapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/bridge-data-centres-plans-major-investment-with-global-partners-to-strengthen-singapores-position-as-asia-pacifics-leading-ai-hub/

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Four before the courts after failing to appear, Coromandel Peninsula

Source: New Zealand Police

Four people are facing the courts following the first of many Police operations in Eastern Waikato today.

Police conducted a number of search warrants in the Coromandel Peninsula, today, in an operation targeting offenders with warrants to arrest or who have failed to turn up to Court recently.

As a result, four arrests were made in the Whitianga and Coromandel township areas which included two women aged 29 and 33, and two men aged 32 and 35.

Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Mike Henwood says the offenders had avoided Court appearances on various assault, burglary, and theft charges.

“Some offenders take advantage of remote locations to evade the courts, and it can be problematic at time for a couple local Police officers to successfully locate and arrest them.

“Police staff from the wider East Area were brought in and supported local Police to clear multiple addresses.

“Support like this for our local people ensures offenders can’t avoid us forever – even in the picturesque Coromandel,” says Inspector Henwood.

“I would like to thank all staff involved in these arrests and reassure the community that this doesn’t end here – we will continue to target any offenders that are attempting to evade Police, you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime.”

Both the women and men are held in custody due to appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/four-before-the-courts-after-failing-to-appear-coromandel-peninsula/