Category: Public Media

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Du Val property group collapse: Forensic accountants continue to find ‘areas of concern’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Du Val co-founder Kenyon Clarke. kenyonclarke.com

Forensic accountants are continuing to find “areas of concern” as they look into the accounts of the failed Du Val Group.

Statutory managers have released their latest six-month report into the group of about 70 entities that collapsed in 2024 owing more than $300 million to hundreds of people.

Its founders Charlotte and Kenyon Clarke have had their personal assets and passports frozen.

In the latest report, the statutory managers said they could not give many details about their latest discoveries because they did not want to prejudice any formal action that may come later.

The Financial Markets Authority was also investigating the group and had the power to pursue charges if warranted.

Today’s report showed the statutory managers still had many unanswered questions – the Clarkes had refused to be interviewed and had gone to the Court of Appeal seeking the right to refuse.

The managers said extensive forensic accounting analysis needed to continue partly because of the group’s “materially incomplete” accounting records.

“While investigations have progressed and further related issues have been identified for analysis, to ensure that any potential subsequent formal action is not prejudiced, no further information is currently able to be disclosed regarding our ongoing investigations into these areas of concern,” they said.

Broad concerns identified in earlier reports remained, including about GST transactions and the lack of clarity about goods paid for by the company but possessed by the Clarkes.

Since the last report, the debt owed by the group had fallen from $268 million to $226 million.

That was partly because some of its property developments had been sold including the Earlsworth, Sunnyvale and Edmonton residential projects.

None has been sold for a high enough price to cover the debt owing on them.

Investors in Du Vals Build to Rent Fund were likely to receive about 41 cents in the dollar on their investment after the sale of the fund’s residential properties in May last year, the report said.

Work was underway to sell to more developments, it said.

The report also gave an update on a British legal case against some Du Val entities that had wound up in New Zealand’s courts.

The British courts ordered Du Val to pay $1.35m (NZD) in damages and $164,205 (NZD) in costs.

The person awarded the costs was seeking to have the judgement recognised in New Zealand but the statutory managers opposed that in the High Court, the report said.

The judgement was pending.

The statutory managers are John Fisk, Stephen White and Lara Bennett.

They had previously been working under the PWC banner but the company sold its business restructuring arm to the global firm Teneo earlier this year.

The Authority said today it could not provide any update on where its investigation was at for “legal and confidentiality” reasons.

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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/2026/03/20/du-val-property-group-collapse-forensic-accountants-continue-to-find-areas-of-concern/

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Analysis: PM Christopher Luxon takes the reins and risk on looming economic crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealanders are really starting to feel the pinch from the United States and Israel’s attacks as fuel prices get close to $4/litre at the pump. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

Analysis – An unexpected address from the Prime Minister in Wellington this week spoke volumes about the economic crisis the government is staring down the barrel of.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and the minister responsible for fuel security, Shane Jones, have been doing the heavy lifting on what the impacts may or may not be for New Zealand’s economy if the conflict in Iran drags on.

Already suffering a cost of living crisis, New Zealanders are really starting to feel the pinch from the United States and Israel’s attacks as fuel prices soar past $3 at the pump and the flow-on effects mean almost everything else – food, services, flights – also climb to unaffordable levels.

It’s an attack on the economy and that’s an issue National has pinned its electoral hopes on in November after promising in 2023 to get the country back on track.

Late last year Labour surpassed National as the party most trusted to respond to the economic challenges, and in the most recent Ipsos Monitor this month the two parties were neck-and-neck on the issue.

Labour is also seen as more capable on inflation and cost of living.

That’s no small concern for the major governing party as it prepares for a tightly-contested election, while simultaneously dealing with an economic shock not of its own making.

Enter Christopher Luxon.

While the foreign affairs’ nuances of the war in Iran are certainly not Luxon’s forte, on the economy he feels more comfortable and has a reputation at least as a former chief executive for knowing what he’s talking about on that front.

But until Thursday he wasn’t doing the talking – Willis and Jones were.

Luxon had tasked the pair with leading the work and then jumped on a plane for four days to the Pacific at about the exact time the situation reports got bleaker back home.

The ministerial advisory group is having online meetings every morning to get updates from officials, and Willis has been doing blanket coverage media interviews and press conferences for the past couple of weeks.

Jones has taken the lead on the fuel security element and has been very much second in command.

So not surprising Luxon chose to high-tail it down to the Beehive for a face-to-face meeting with his officials on Thursday morning about what the state of play is.

For the seven days prior he’d only been receiving updates via reports and phone calls and was keen to hear the lay of the land from those at the coal face of the government’s response.

It led to a last-minute decision to hold a media conference at Parliament, alongside Willis, where the substance of what the government was doing hadn’t changed but the tone certainly had.

The purpose of the media conference was two-fold: tell New Zealanders they need to be realistic about what might be coming down the line and how bad it might get, and put the prime minister in charge of a looming crisis.

The hope for National is that it can claw back the narrative of being a safe pair of hands when the economy is in choppy seas, but the flip side is that if things do get worse before they get better and things haven’t improved at all for Kiwis’ backpockets come the election, then it’s Luxon and Willis who will wear all of it.

The war coming to an end soon is crucial to their success because even if it does end in the next week or three, the lag effect is such that it will still take time for the economy to bounce back.

With an election just shy of eight months away, it isn’t a lot of runway.

The biggest take-away from Thursday’s update was the work being done to prepare cost-of-living relief for some people if the pain at the pump, the supermarket, and almost everywhere else, continues.

Willis has signalled she’s tasked Inland Revenue with finding the best way to get targeted, temporary, and timely funding to those working Kiwis who will be impacted the most.

The biggest problem she has isn’t how to administer it, but when to pull the trigger on it.

Go too early and the government books end up looking worse for longer, but go too late and voters feel like they’ve been abandoned.

Expect discussions on the specifics of that payment to be high on the agenda at Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

National has talked a big game on being fiscally prudent.

If there’s even a whiff of Willis and Luxon sliding into cost-of-living relief creep to try keep as many voters as possible happy in the months ahead, it will be deputy prime minister and Act leader David Seymour shouting the loudest.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/analysis-pm-christopher-luxon-takes-the-reins-and-risk-on-looming-economic-crisis/

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Isolated communities grappling with rising fuel costs

Source: Radio New Zealand

Town of Waitangi on Chatham Island. Vk2cz / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

Chatham Island council is meeting this afternoon to try and come up with a way to soften the blow as diesel prices jump a dollar a litre for the isolated community.

Meanwhile, in Waiheke Island, petrol prices are sitting [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/590158/foodstuff-s-petrol-stations-continue-to-offer-discounts-despite-stores-running-dry close to $4 and the main Waiheke ferry is making some timetable changes to accommodate increasing fuel costs.

Petrol stations across the country are seeing a bump in drivers filling up amid fears over the Iran war and potential shortages, but Chatham’s runs slightly differently.

The islands ship petrol and diesel to the island. It’s heavily reliant on diesel as the main form of fuel to power the island.

Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust chief executive and council interim CEO Bob Penter said diesel was at $2.29 per litre and petrol at $4.50 per litre before the conflict in the Middle East.

He said they have capacity to store 400,000 litres on the island, but the problem will arise when they have to buy more at the current prices.

“Diesel has experienced much greater price increases rather than the increases we are seeing with petrol, so diesel is where we are experiencing most of our pressure at the moment.

“The higher prices are starting to flow through to what we need to purchase to top up our on island supplies, so we will have to consider over the next few days, looking at when we need to announce price adjustments and the price is obviously likely to increase.

“It’s risen about a dollar in purchase cost.”

But Penter is determined not to put that increase directly on islanders.

“The main concern for us is if we are able to soften the blow for Chatham Islanders, rather than the price climbing up a steep faced waterfall, if we can have a bit more of a gentle slope with gradual increases rather than a sudden shock.”

“We will give people as much forewarning as we can of any price changes. It won’t be a price at 11.59pm and another price at 12am and they don’t find out till morning.”

He said because the island had some resilience with storage and stock levels there was hope.

“We can potentially absorb some of the price increases from the new stock coming in as we release the old stock, so its just how we manage that in terms of a timing pathway and ensuring that we are meeting our purchase price that we have to pay.”

Chatham Islands was already the most expensive place to buy petrol in New Zealand before the conflict at $4.50.

He said it had to be that price because it was a expensive and dangerous process to get it.

“Petrol is probably ok at the moment because we do have some reserves… we are watching it really closely… if the current pricing structure we are seeing for petrol in New Zealand continues then I’m afraid inevitable it’s going to flow through to the Chathams and what we are able to price petrol for.”

As for the Hauraki Gulf, ferry company Fullers said despite the rising costs they have no current plans to make changes to the pricing.

It said they will make timetable changes to some destinations so they can ensure a reliable and sustainable service.

Fullers said it will revert to its off peak timetable slightly earlier than planned, starting Saturday.

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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/2026/03/20/isolated-communities-grappling-with-rising-fuel-costs/

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Live cricket: White Ferns v South Africa Proteas women – third T20

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action as the White Ferns take on South Africa in Auckland for their third T20 international match.

The five-match series is currently tied 1-1.

First ball at Eden Park is 2.45pm.

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Moa Point report reveals air bubble may have caused massive failure

Source: Radio New Zealand

The catastrophic failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant may have been caused by air trapped in the pipes, a report has revealed.

The Wellington plant failed last month, flooding the facility and sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea each day.

Wellington City Council on Friday released the first report into the ongoing saga.

Wellington Water commissioned the engineering report on 5 February – the day after the failure – to understand how the plant could be operated during the recovery.

Experts from Stantec used software to develop a hydraulic model of the plant, and replicated the likely flow of water running through the plant when it failed.

While the report was not commissioned to identify the cause, it revealed valuable information, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little’s office said.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said the report was just one piece of the puzzle. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“The report found that air can become trapped in the wastewater bypass pipeline, particularly when there is a high flow of wastewater passing through the plant.

“It is possible that trapped air could disrupt the flow of wastewater, pushing it backwards and flooding the plant.”

There was a “significant risk” of the air being trapped in the system, causing a “choke point” the report said.

And if it did happen, it would be “a likely cause of the flooding”.

The bypass system allows screened wastewater to bypass further treatment – like disinfection – and be discharged out to sea when the plant is at maximum capacity.

The experts suggested Wellington Water install additional air release equipment at specific locations in the system.

Wellington Water chief operating officer Charles Baker speaking to media following the release of the report. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“This is expected to provide some improvement to the issues identified until the design of a new bypass pipeline alignment and connection can be developed and implemented.”

The report was just one piece of the puzzle, Little said.

“There are other areas of interest that require a more detailed investigation, and Wellington Water has commissioned an external specialist to conduct a wider investigation into these other factors.

“It’s natural to want a quick answer, but it’s important that we take the time to uncover all the facts and not draw conclusions too early.

“Wellingtonians deserve assurance that our recovery addresses the root cause and any related factors, so we can be confident we’re preventing this from happening again.”

The Wellington plant failed last month, flooding the facility and sending millions of litres of raw sewage into the sea each day. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Air pocket ‘burping’ seen since

The report revealed that Veolia, the plant operator, told Wellington Water at a meeting this week that crews had observed the burping of air pockets during the storm on 3 March when there was a high level of water running through the system.

“The operator … observed burping of large air pockets and large splashes from the outlet chamber during the initial pumping sequences,” it said.

That showed the air release capacity of a vent pipe downstream had been exceeded at times, the report said.

More risks identified

The experts identified other potential risks at the plant and made a number of technical recommendations.

“Wellington Water should address the potential risk of a blockage or debris in the outfall section of the pipe and implement monitoring of operating pressures in the ocean outfall (during the recovery phase at a minimum).”

The company should also review the condition of existing air and isolation valves, and replace them if necessary, the report said.

CCTV from the pipeline showed the polyurethane liner had eroded and cement mortar had potentially degraded in some sections, it said.

“This has occurred due to high velocity super-critical (shallow and fast) flow impacting on the liner.

“This flow regime presents risks to the long-term durability of the effluent pipeline liner and structural steel which warrants additional review and investigation.”

An independent Crown review into the failure is also underway, and its final report is expected in August.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/moa-point-report-reveals-air-bubble-may-have-caused-massive-failure/

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Dan Hooker’s bare-knuckle backyard fights to be monitored by Christchurch police

Source: Radio New Zealand

The gloves are coming off for the next instalment of Dan Hooker’s “1 Minute Scraps”. youtube

Police are monitoring a bare-knuckle fighting event in Christchurch organised by MMA professional fighter Dan Hooker.

The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently, telling hopefuls the event “is gonna scrap the gloves, we’re going bare-knuckle”.

A $50,000 prize was on offer for the winner with each combatant getting $1000 and $5000 available for each knockout.

Hooker told The Rock FM‘s Morning Rumble he had chosen the city for Sunday’s event because “I believe Christchurch has the craziest people”.

“We had thousands of people try to enter this. This excites me as a fighter,” he said.

The seventh-ranked UFC lightweight contender announced another “1 Minute Scraps” event on social media recently. STEVEN MARKHAM

Backyard-style fights have previously attracted backlash from some people involved in combat sports with the Boxing Coaches Association labelling it “straight-out thuggery“.

Following the criticism, Hooker told online combat sport programme the Ariel Helwani Show that, “there’s a few lefties having a sulk”.

“Since when did putting gloves on in the backyard and having a punch up become illegal?” Since when is that a crime?” he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said police were aware of the event.

“We have spoken with the organisers of the event, who have been cooperative, and confirmed they are running a lawful event which they have done previously,” he said.

“Police monitored previous events run by these organisers and had no issues. However, we will continue to monitor such events, and anyone found to be participating in unlawful or antisocial behaviour should expect to be held to account for their actions.

“If anyone witnesses any concerning or antisocial behaviour is urged to call 111 in an emergency, or 105 to report non-urgent information.”

Hooker had promised to run more events in the future and said his plans for the next one “gets even more wild”.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/dan-hookers-bare-knuckle-backyard-fights-to-be-monitored-by-christchurch-police/

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‘I go into a Zen space, my body takes over’ – circus star’s rare balancing act

Source: Radio New Zealand

In his La Ronde performance, Adam Malone’s burlesque-inspired feats include a “chaotic” hoop act in which he manipulates fast-spinning blunt objects with his hands.

Less stressful, he says, is pulling off his take on the traditional but rare ‘Washington Trapeze’, which involves balancing on his head.

“I go into a bit of a Zen space, and I balance, and my body kind of takes over for me,” Malone tells RNZ’s Nine to Noon.

Adam Malone is also a renowned hula-hoop artist.

Benji Hardwick

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/i-go-into-a-zen-space-my-body-takes-over-circus-stars-rare-balancing-act/

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One dead, one seriously injured after crash on SH2 in Gisborne District

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Robin Martin

One person has died following a crash on State Highway 2/Matawai Road, Waipaoa, in the Gisborne region on Friday morning.

Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash near McMillan Road just before 7am.

One person was found dead at the scene.

Another person received serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

Police had warned earlier there would be extensive delays for motorists.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.

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Man found dead at Hastings construction site

Source: Radio New Zealand

A scene guard would remain in place while investigators probed the scene, police said. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police enquiries are underway after a man was found dead at a construction in Hastings earlier this week.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu said police were called to the site at 7pm on Thursday 18 March.

“The man was not an employee at the site and his death is currently being treated as unexplained,” Whiu said.

A scene guard would remain in place while investigators probed the scene.

“Work is under way to formally identify the man and at this stage we are unable to provide any further details regarding his identity,” Whiu said.

Police were asking anyone with relevant information to reach out using the 105 and quote file number 260319/6453.

Information could also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Is antibacterial soap any better at killing germs?

Source: Radio New Zealand

If you’ve ever dealt with a sick household, the appeal of hand soap to kill germs is understandable and there are plenty of “antibacterial” and “antiseptic” products promising to do that.

Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the transmission of pathogens between people, says Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist from Brisbane/Meanjin.

“Anyone who’s worked in health care, child care or had young kids knows how quickly germs spread amongst the household and in those environments,” he says.

Professor Paul Griffin says it is less about the product you use and more about the correct hand washing technique.

Supplied/ABC

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Advice from the world’s happiest country, as NZ misses top 10

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, a title it has now held a record nine times.

New Zealand often ranks in the top 10, but it has just dipped outside to 11th in the most recent World Happiness Report. It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10.

It’s mostly Nordic countries ahead of New Zealand, but Israel is in 8th. Our friends across the ditch, Australia, were ranked 15th.

New Zealand has ranked 11th in the World Happiness Report.

123rf.com

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/advice-from-the-worlds-happiest-country-as-nz-misses-top-10/

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US Coast Guard sails into Wellington harbour

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Madleine CarrWhite, Massey Journalism Student

The USGC Polar Star has operated in Antarctica for the past 55 days. RNZ/Mark Papalii

A United States Coast Guard icebreaker has sailed into Wellington harbour after working with New Zealand in Antarctica.

The USGC Polar Star, celebrating its 50th year of service, has operated in Antarctica for the past 55 days resupplying New Zealand’s Scott Base, among other duties.

Two New Zealand sailors joined the American crew to participate in this year’s Polar Star’s deployment, Operation Deep Freeze.

Polar Star cuts channels through thick ice, creating access for ships to reach Antarctic research stations and bases.

David Gehrenbeck, the US Charge d’Affaires, said the arrival of the ship highlights the relationship between the United States and New Zealand.

“Each time Polar Star arrives in Wellington, it’s a reminder of the strong partnership and shared commitment between the United States and New Zealand in Antarctica,” he said.

“Royal New Zealand Navy sea riders have become an integral part of these missions. Their expertise and upbeat approach are always appreciated by everyone on board.”

The USGC Polar Star in Wellington harbour. RNZ/Mark Papalii

Earlier this year marked the end of a multi-year effort between New Zealand and the United States, with the Polar Star delivering a new pier for scientific research at McMurdo Station.

Gehrenbeck said that the ship’s mission involves more than supporting scientific research.

“It’s about making sure people and supplies can move safely, so our hard-working teams are supported and research at the bottom of the world never stops.”

In January, the Polar Star crew performed a six-hour rescue operation for the cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II, which was trapped in ice near McMurdo Sound.

Over the past decade, the ship has regularly docked in New Zealand when sailing to and from Antarctica.

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Foodstuff’s petrol stations continue to offer discounts despite stores running dry

Source: Radio New Zealand

Foodstuff’s petrol stations say they will continue to offer discounts despite stores running dry and operating day to day.

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

Finance Minister Nicola Willis said as of Sunday, New Zealand has 41.3 days worth of petrol 47 days of diesel and 49 days of Jet Fuel but they are preparing for the ‘worst case scenario’ from a prolonged conflict.

On Friday morning, some Pak ‘n’ Save and New World petrol stores had closed their stations because they were empty and awaiting delivery.

New World Levin had been waiting for more than two days. Consequently, the Gull station across the road was very busy.

Pioneer New World in Palmerston North and Pak’ N’ Save Hawera were also without supplies on Friday morning.

A Foodstuff’s spokesperson said fuel was available across New World and PAK’n SAVE sites, and there was plenty of supply.

On Friday morning, some Pak ‘n’ Save and New World petrol stores had closed their stations because they were empty and awaiting delivery. Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ

“The increased demand has meant some sites have temporarily run out ahead of scheduled deliveries.”

Foodstuff’s said there were no changes to it’s fuel discount program at this time.

“We continue to closely monitor demand and work proactively with our suppliers to maintain continuity at all sites. “

Pak ‘N’ Save Kapiti said it had been without stock but was refilled overnight.

“We’re still operating on a day-to-day basis as demand remains high and our supplier is finding it challenging to keep up.”

Overnight, petrol price app Gaspy updated to allow it to remove stores/stations from the site when they have run out of fuel.

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Genesis says $300 million rights issue ‘strongly supported’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns. Supplied

Genesis Energy says its $300 million rights issue has been strongly supported, raising $242.7 million from eligible shareholders – including the Crown, which will maintain its 51 percent stake.

The offer opened on 23 February, giving investors one new share for every 7.9 held, and about 81 percent of eligible shareholders took up the offer.

Genesis said shareholders who exercised all their rights also applied for an extra $48.1 million in additional shares, which will be considered in Friday’s shortfall bookbuild by its underwriter, local investment bank Jarden.

Chief executive Malcolm Johns said the company was delighted with the response from its shareholders, including the Crown.

“The success of the equity raise is a strong endorsement of the Gen35 strategy from shareholders,” he said.

To complete the shortfall bookbuild, Genesis has asked the NZX and ASX to halt trading in its ordinary shares and subordinated bonds from the start of trading on Friday.

The halt will be lifted once the bookbuild results are announced, or when markets open on 24 March, whichever comes first.

The company said the halt was needed to ensure the bookbuild could be conducted fairly, without some investors having information before others.

Shareholders who did not take up their rights – along with those ineligible to participate – may receive a pro‑rata payment if the bookbuild price ends up higher than the rights‑issue price of $2.05, although this is not guaranteed.

Settlement of the new shares is expected on 24 March for ASX investors and 25 March for NZX holders, with trading beginning on 25 March.

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Reserve Bank head Anna Breman will publicly speak about the Iran conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

  • Reserve Bank to increase media events after cash rate decisions
  • Will have online news conference after cash rate reviews, starting 8 April
  • Previously cash rate reviews only had written statement
  • Governor Anna Breman to speak about Middle East impact on economy next week

Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman has moved to deliver on her pledge to improve the central bank’s communication and transparency.

She is due to speak to business leaders next week on the RBNZ’s February monetary statement and the country’s payments system, but will now directly comment on the conflict in the Middle East.

“Due to the wider economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this speech will now focus on the potential impacts of this evolving situation on the New Zealand economy,” the RBNZ said in a statement.

The speech will be released ahead of delivery and Breman will do a news conference and briefing for economists.

In the past, the RBNZ has entered a monetary “cone of silence” in the run-up to a meeting and decision about the official cash rate (OCR).

The next decision is due on 8 April and would normally only be a short statement and a summary of the meeting of the monetary policy committee.

But the April decision will be followed by an online news conference, which will now become standard practice.

In the past the RBNZ has only given media conferences after a quarterly monetary policy statement, along with full economic forecasts and interest rate track.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/reserve-bank-head-anna-breman-will-publicly-speak-about-the-iran-conflict/

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Don’t complain too much: Finland’s advice as NZ once again ranks below top 10 happiest countries

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10 in the World Happiness Report. 123rf.com

Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, a title it has now held a record nine times.

New Zealand often ranks in the top 10, but it has just dipped outside to 11th in the most recent World Happiness Report. It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10.

It’s mostly Nordic countries ahead of New Zealand, but Israel is in 8th. Our friends across the ditch, Australia, were ranked 15th.

Finnish philosopher Frank Martela, the go-to expert on Nordic happiness, told First Up that Finnish people were relatively sceptical of the results.

“I guess the Finnish people think of themselves as this slightly introverted, even melancholic, bunch of people. So, being the happiest people in the world doesn’t really fit into Finnish self-image,” he said.

Martela said rather than Finnish people being happier, there are fewer extremely unhappy people in Finland, which drives up the average.

“When you say that Finland is the happiest country, it’s one way of putting it, [but] another way of putting it would be saying Finland is the country where there are the least amount of people who are actively unhappy about their lives – that would be, in a way, a more accurate description.”

In other words, if New Zealand wants to boost its ranking, Kiwis should complain less.

“That’s the Finnish way of doing this – not complaining too much, just minding one’s own business and being happy about it,” Martela said.

To determine the ranking, the Gallup World Poll asks respondents in 147 countries to evaluate their lives using the image of a ladder, with the best possible life as a 10 and the worst possible as a 0. Each respondent provides a numerical response on this scale, referred to as the Cantril Ladder.

Researchers look at six factors, including GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity and perceptions of freedom and corruption to help account for variations among countries. The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smoothes out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.

The Finns reported an average score of 7.764 to evaluate their life satisfaction.

Martela said universal healthcare, low corruption, high-quality free education, unemployment benefits and good maternity leave are some of the factors behind the score.

Finland’s deep commitment to cooperation helps explain its staying power at the top of the ranking, John F. Helliwell, professor emeritus of economics at the University of British Columbia and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, said in an interview.

“Successful societies cooperate in the face of adversity,” he said. “The Finns know this. And once you have the sense that you are in this together, there’s no end to what you can do.”

New Zealand has ranked 11th in the World Happiness Report. 123rf.com

Youth crisis

The report’s writers have begun to pay attention to what they consider a crisis in youth happiness, first mentioned in the 2024 ranking.

In the latest edition, the survey found life evaluations among respondents under age 25 in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped by almost one full point on the scale of 0 to 10 over the last decade, a dramatic slide especially since the average satisfaction for young people in the rest of the world has increased, according to Gallup World Poll data.

A key factor in the sharp drop in youth happiness, researchers said, is the number of hours young people spend consuming social media or gaming. And while experts say it’s important to limit time spent with the Internet overall, some ways of spending time online are healthier than others, including communicating with loved ones, and learning new skills.

A certain amount of Internet and social media consumption wasn’t necessarily negative, he said, saying, “There seems to be a sweet spot.”

“You don’t want to be unconnected but you don’t want to be too connected,” he said. “With the Internet, too much is a bad thing.”

The world’s top happiest countries in 2026

1. Finland

2. Iceland

3. Denmark

4. Costa Rica

5. Sweden

6. Norway

7. Netherlands

8. Israel

9. Luxembourg

10. Switzerland

11. New Zealand

You can read the report here.

– RNZ with additional reporting by CNN

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/20/dont-complain-too-much-finlands-advice-as-nz-once-again-ranks-below-top-10-happiest-countries/

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Woman seriously injured in stabbing in central Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch on Thursday night.

Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB said officers were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm.

There were reports that a person had been stabbed.

The woman was taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance where she underwent surgery.

A scene guard was put in place overnight, and a scene examination is taking place today.

Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the incident and working to identify who is responsible, Detective Sergeant Rolton said.

St John Ambulance told RNZ two people were taken to hospital.

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

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Inmate dies at Christchurch Men’s Prison

Source: Radio New Zealand

Christchurch Men’s Prison. Luke McPake / The Wireless

An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at Christchurch Men’s Prison.

Corrections says staff and paramedics tried to revive the man, who died in the health unit early on Thursday morning.

Other inmates and staff are being provided support.

Corrections says all deaths in prison are subject to an internal incident review, an investigation by the independent Corrections Inspectorate and are also referred to the coroner.

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Fog disrupts flights at Wellington airport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Some Sounds Air flights had been cancelled due to fog. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

MetService says low cloud disrupting flights in the capital is already starting to lift.

Wellington airport said 12 flights had been cancelled and a further 10 delayed on Friday morning.

An airport spokesperson said the weather was expected to improve.

“We advise passengers to check directly with their airlines for details on their flights.”

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the fog hanging about was already beginning to shift.

“We’re not expecting it to stick around for much longer.”

The airport’s online departure board showed some Sounds Air and Air New Zealand flights had either been cancelled or delayed indefinitely since 6.45am on Friday.

Sounds Air owner Andrew Crawford said planes can’t land in the fog, so they’d be waiting for it to clear.

The fog hasn’t affected Jetstar flights. Air New Zealand has been approached for comment.

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Pumping wastewater into Kawarau River only option, Queenstown mayor says

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Kawarau River. 123rf

Queenstown’s mayor says pumping treated wastewater into the “pristine” Kawarau River is the council’s only realistic option.

Queenstown Lakes District councillors agreed on Thursday to lodge a 35-year resource consent application for discharge from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, while staff keep looking for alternative solutions to the region’s wastewater woes.

It comes after emergency discharges from the treatment plant to the Shotover River.

The discharges sparked community backlash and ultimately saw the Environment Court order the council to come up with a long-term solution by the end of May.

The mayor John Glover told Morning Report it was a difficult decision that would see treated wastewater pumped into the Kawarau rather than the Shotover River.

“I don’t think anybody recognises that what we’re moving forward with is what we want to do. I mean, it’s the case of there are no – at the moment – no realistic other options.”

Under the $77.5 million plan – recommended by staff and supported by most councillors – advanced filters would be installed at the treatment plant, and a 1.4km pipeline built to carry the treated wastewater to a rock outfall structure on the Kawarau River.

The decided-upon plan was strongly opposed by Ngāi Tahu, with iwi representatives stating the direct discharge of human waste to nature water was “abhorrent”.

Glover said council staff were also directed to investigate land-based solutions as most people understood – particularly Wellingtonians after the catastrophic failure at Moa Point – that discharging to waterways carried risk.

“So in the long-term, if we’re able to discharge to land, that’s obviously going to be the preferred solution. It certainly aligns with the preferred option for mana whenua.

“In a district where land is very expensive … it’s a challenge. But I think we owe it to future generations to do more and look at other options.”

He conceded that such a solution wouldn’t happen time soon.

In response to criticism that the council had failed over successive years to address wastewater issues, Glover said the current situation was the culmination of investment decisions, management of plants, and unknown technology.

“What has happened has happened. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that around New Zealand and elsewhere in the world, the primary route to deal with our discharge, with our treated wastewater is to pump it into the sea or pump it into a river.”

He said the environmental impacts would be assessed through the consent process.

“Because of the pristine environment of the river that the council are looking to discharge into there will be a consenting process, those environmental impacts will be tested.”

He said the Local Government Act means the impact on local mana whenua would also be taken into account.

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