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The case was taken to the High Court but had been referred to independent arbitration. (File photo) RNZ / Dan Cook

A High Court Judge has won the right to have a dispute over a family bach heard in private, rather than open court.

In 2022, Justice Anne Hinton sold her share of the bach to two of her four sisters – but her other sister, Gillian Gatfield and niece, Emma Pearson (who inherited her mother’s share) argued Hinton had, years earlier, promised to transfer her share to them.

They took their case to the High Court, but Hinton successfully applied to have it referred to independent arbitration.

The plaintiffs appealed the arbitration referral in November – but the Court of Appeal dismissed that on Thursday.

Hinton wanted arbitration because it was faster and cheaper than going through the courts – and private.

Her lawyers argued any judge hearing Hinton’s case in court would be put in a difficult position: either risking the perception of favouring a colleague, or ruling against her which would effectively question her credibility.

But Gatfield and Pearson disagreed.

Lawyer Matanuku Mahuika said “significant weight” was placed on Hinton’s role as a judge in her request for arbitration, which was “not appropriate”.

He urged the judges to be mindful of open justice and warned them against being seen to give preference to a fellow judge.

Mahuika also pointed out arbitration had never been ordered – as opposed to agreed to – in a trust dispute.

But in Thursday’s decision, the judges said the Associate Judge who ordered the arbitration was following the correct procedure.

“We consider that the court has power to order that an arbitration take place and to appoint an arbitrator, even when there is no agreement to arbitrate.

“We also consider there is nothing inherently inappropriate in doing so.”

The Judges said it was “unnecessary” to explicitly address all the matters Gatfield and Pearson’s lawyers raised as reasons against private arbitration.

“We agree with the decision made by the High Court,” their judgement said.

Mediation and arbitration were appropriate options in a case involving “strongly felt personal allegations”, it said.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/high-court-judge-wins-right-to-have-family-batch-dispute-in-private-court/

February 12, 2026

Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little promises to reduce commercial rates

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Wellington’s mayor is promising to reduce the city’s commercial rates burden, but admits he doesn’t yet have the council’s backing to do so.

Andrew Little told a Wellington Chamber of Commerce breakfast event that the current commercial rates differential meant that businesses paid 3.7-times the residential rate – thought to be one of the highest in the country.

“That starts to make it challenging for developers when they’re developing inner-city land for commercial purposes. So, if we can address that differential and bring the differential down, then we become more competitive in that regard,” he said.

However, even a modest reduction could push residential rates up by around 4 percent.

Little said the first step was getting council spending under control, before shifting the balance.

“I’m confident that if we do the work on financial planning, budgeting, what have you, that in time we can do this.”

The mayor said reducing the commercial rates differential was a personal commitment.

He said there was no formal proposal yet and any change would need negotiation around the council table.

“There’s no collective council commitment to… I don’t know what the split on council would be. There are plenty who are keen to see it. There are some for whom it’s not the top priority, but that’s the nature of council. It would have to be negotiated through.”

Whether to decrease the commercial rates differential from $3.70 to $3.25 has previously stirred heated debate over the pressure on businesses versus residents.

At a 2023 council meeting a proposal to reduce the differential was voted down [ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/504175/wellington-city-council-votes-in-principle-to-keep-same-rates-for-businesses].

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February 12, 2026

Person escapes house fire in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters at a house fire on Balmain Road in Chatswood. RNZ/Paris Ibell

One person has escaped a house fire in North Auckland this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) crews are extinguishing a fire at a two-storey house on Balmain Road in Chatswood.

A FENZ spokesperson said they were called to the scene at about half past 12, and the house was well involved on arrival.

One person who was inside the house was able to get out and wasn’t injured.

RNZ/Paris Ibell

FENZ said the fire isn’t being treated as suspicious, but a fire investigator is on site.

Locals have shared photos of billowing black smoke coming from the area on Thursday afternoon.

A section of Balmain Road has been cordoned off.

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February 12, 2026

Australian label AROHA changes name following backlash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian activewear label AROHA has changed its name after copping heat for using a Māori word despite having no connection to te ao Māori.

“This isn’t a rebrand. It’s a reflection of who we are now,” the brand wrote on their social media account on Tuesday, alongside a tile sharing their new name, VYRA.

“As we’ve evolved, so has our purpose … What once began with love has transformed into resilience, discipline, and power. The brand we started is no longer the brand we are becoming,” they went on.

Australian activewear label once called AROHA has changed it’s name to VYRA.

Instagram

.com.

Earlier this month, brand owner Katie Burke apologised for upset caused by using the word AROHA, saying they didn’t do thorough research.

“Our intentions were never to offend any of you, it was purely based on the fact that we wanted our brand surrounded by love,” Burke said on TikTok.

“This was never based on traditional culture, we’ve never branded as a Māori brand we’ve never exposed ourselves as a Māori brand, we’ve always been transparent …. especially to any Māori people that do come in store.

“Aroha” means “to love, feel pity, feel concern for, feel compassion, empathise” according to the Te Aka online Māori dictionary.

“We didn’t want to use an Australian name of love, we thought it was quite boring,” Bourke went on.

“We did want to use ‘aroha’ because it was different and unique, it was a surface research, we didn’t thoroughly do research, so the cultural ties we were not aware of ’til six months ago.”

Following Wednesday’s news the brand was “moving into a different space,” Burke said they have over $100,000 worth of stock that will need to be moved at discount. The business had been running for four years and had a physical store in Queensland.

“We took into consideration both sides of the people who were upset and hurt and the people who were happy about it and wanted to push for forward,” Burke said this week.

“… we just didn’t think it aligned with our business to have communities fight against each other, for something that’s meant for love.”

Last year, RNZ examined the branding of HOKA, a billion-dollar French American shoe brand that’s exploded in global popularity in recent years.

In te reo Māori, hoka means ‘to fly’. The company initially accredited their use of the word to the “ancient Māori language” in 2010, but there is no attribution to its roots now and the word is pronounced wrongly in its marketing videos.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/australian-label-aroha-changes-name-following-backlash/

February 12, 2026

Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dies aged 48

Source: Radio New Zealand

Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in popular 90s TV show Dawson’s Creek, has died.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” read a statement shared to Van Der Beek’s official Instagram page on Thursday (NZ time).

“There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/dawsons-creek-star-james-van-der-beek-dies-aged-48/

February 12, 2026

I was not prepared for how how deeply disturbing this film was

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mārama, the debut feature from Taratoa Stappard, opens in cinemas across Aotearoa today. It is a bold and chilling Māori gothic horror that interrogates and commits revenge upon the Māoriland era of our history, when Māori culture and our people were collected and traded as romantic curios from a far-flung island nation.

Set in 1859, Mary Stevens (Ariana Osborne) arrives in North Yorkshire at Hawkser Manor, an oppressive grand country house owned by Sir Nathaniel Cole (Toby Stephens) and his granddaughter Anne (Evelyn Towersey).

From the moment Mary crosses its threshold, she is assaulted by visions of violence. So when Sir Nathaniel greets her in te reo Māori, the gesture lands not as connection, but as possession.

MĀRAMA (Ariāna Osborne), ANAHERA (Evelyn Towersey) and PEGGY (Umi Myers) stand infront of the granite headstone.

Marama

.

These are men who have learned te reo Māori not out of solidarity, but as access to wāhine Māori. The threat is not explosive; it is methodical.

I first saw Mārama at its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2025. Despite understanding the historical terrain the film would traverse, I was unprepared for how deeply disturbed I would feel watching it, particularly in that foreign setting. The responses of the audience echoing a colonial gaze that felt like it was trying to grab me through the screen.

Though historic in setting, the film’s aesthetic is sophisticated and unmistakably modern, collapsing past and present so that the horror feels immediate.

Hawkser Manor is a colonial hell-hole, stylised, shadowed grand architecture framing all manner of taonga and toi Māori, with its own whare whakairo positioned as a jewel in the garden.

The whare is unmistakably reminiscent of Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito, the meeting house removed from Te Wairoa and relocated to England in the nineteenth century.

It is hoped a decision will soon be made to return Hinemihi to Aotearoa after more than 127 years in Surrey. But Hinemihi is just one example among many taonga iwi continue to fight to repatriate. A more gruesome relic of this era is the trade in toi moko (mokomokai), which intensified in the nineteenth century.

These physical objects are made all the more grotesque by Cole and his peers’ obsession not only with Māori artefacts, but with Māori people themselves.

Ariāna Osborne in Marama.

In confronting Cole, and his companion Jack Fenton, Osborne anchors the film with fierce intensity. Surrounded by threats to her whakapapa, past and future, Mary sharpens her awareness.

What begins as survival becomes reclamation.

In the film’s climactic turn, she transforms a story of violence against wāhine Māori into one of restoration and bloody justice.

Stappard has described the film as forging a new genre: Māori gothic horror.

That confidence emerges from his own whakapapa, from stories of wāhine toa, including his great-grandmother Rangiriri Strew, who defiantly wore moko kauae at a time when Māori identity was shamed.

Her international tours performing for colonial audiences form a haunting echo within the film’s Victorian English setting.

There is a deeper inversion at work. The colonial ‘Māoriland‘ era once packaged Māori culture as tradeable spectacle. In both this film and the contemporary Māoriland Film Festival, itself a reclamation of that term, that gaze is turned back.

Taratoa Stappard

Supplied

Where Māori identity was curated as curiosity, Mārama centres a young Māori woman as hero and architect of justice, defining our place in the global cinematic landscape on our own terms.

Māoriland Film Festival is itself, part of the film’s story. In 2019, Stappard won a pitch prize which was used to write Taumanu, a short set within the world of Mārama. We’re proud to have Mārama as our closing night film for MFF2026. Because Mārama bears rewatching.

In the days and weeks since I first saw the film last September, its memories have lingered. Its images return to mind and trigger a succession of trains of thought. It’s a film you want to talk about. It disturbs not to shock, but to reckon. And in doing so, it expands Māori cinema not as spectacle, but as authority.

Madeleine Hakaraia de Young is the director of the Māoriland Film Festival

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February 12, 2026

How a 30-year-old from Hawke’s Bay got picked for UAE’s first Winter Olympics

Source: Radio New Zealand

Piera Hudson competing in Switzerland in 2022. Jari Pestelacci/JustPictures / NurPhoto via AFP)

Determination is at the heart of how a Hawke’s Bay-raised athlete became part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) first-ever winter Olympic team.

The small, desert country is fielding two athletes at these Games, including New Zealand-born Piera Hudson, who has had a long, hard journey to fulfilling her Olympic dream.

Hudson also had the honour of being a flagbearer for the UAE during the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Olympics.

Hudson will check into the Olympic Village in Cortina in a couple of days as she gets ready to compete in her first event on Sunday, the giant slalom.

The 30-year-old is set to become the first Winter Olympian Hawke’s Bay has ever produced and told Nine to Noon that it didn’t feel real yet.

“I don’t think it will until I’m sort of competing on the day and then it might hit me. The Olympic opening ceremony was just amazing, I was buzzing, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It was the most surreal feeling to have finally sort of had that ‘I made it’ moment,” Hudson said.

“To be flagbearer on top of that was such a huge honour for my country, so couldn’t have asked for a better way to start it off.”

The alpine skier won multiple national titles and represented New Zealand on the international stage for most of her career. But the heartbreak of missing selection for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games hurt.

In 2022, she tried fighting her non-selection, having made the official qualification mark, but that wasn’t enough for the Sports Tribunal to overturn the decision.

It was about that time she decided to make Dubai her base.

United Arab Emirates’ flag bearer Piera Hudson during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Franck FIFE / AFP

Hudson’s connection with the UAE goes back a couple of decades; she had a lot of family based there and growing up spent many holidays there with her cousins.

“Shortly after Covid I decided to move to Dubai myself just to make it my home instead of having to trek back to New Zealand so frequently.”

When not training in Europe, she trains at the indoor Ski Dubai facility – one of the biggest indoor ski domes in the world, based in the Emirates Mall.

“You walk into the mall and you’re carrying your skis and people are looking at you sideways and then you walk into Ski Dubai and there’s a chair lift …you can set up a course, you can get a good slalom training run in.

“I don’t train there too frequently because it doesn’t quite emulate World Cup and Olympics conditions but it is really lovely to train with the ski club there.”

The UAE Winter Federation welcomed Hudson with open arms when she decided to switch allegiances, but the challenge of getting citizenship and approval to represent the UAE seemed insurmountable at times.

It wasn’t until late last year that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) approved the nation change, and final acceptance from the International Olympic Committee came very late in the piece.

“It takes years and I knew that going into it, but I also knew it was what I wanted to do. It was going to be worth it …I just knew I wanted to represent that country.

“There’s been a lot of lows with the Olympics in the past, representing New Zealand and not getting that opportunity when I had made qualification in the past and things, it’s a tough time.

“I’m really glad that my parents raised me to be resilient and persistent …I don’t take no for an answer very often so it kind of got me through, which I’m really glad about.”

Piera Hudson in action during an FIS Giant Slalom event in 2024. Iain McGregor / PHOTOSPORT

Hudson has also endured massive injury setbacks during her career, including a horrific leg break and a full rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament in recent years.

She grew up on farm near Tikokino, so how did the mountains come calling?

“I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in the South Island during the winter school holidays growing up. My Mum is originally from Dunedin and both my parents grew up skiing.

“They sort of chucked my brother and I in the car every winter and we went down to Wānaka and we were on skis from a very early age and both fell in love with it, my brother became a ski instructor for many many years.”

The adrenaline rush of slalom is something that never gets old for Hudson.

“It’s a hugely technical event, but at the same time, you have to have the courage to send it, even though the turns are tight, it is a high-speed event and there’s just a lot coming at you very, very quickly.”

When to watch Piera Hudson from NZ

The women’s giant slalom event will be held at 10pm on Sunday, 15 February (run 1) and 1.30am Monday, February 16 (run 2).

The women’s slalom event will be held at 10pm next Wednesday, 18 February (run 1) and 1.30am next Thursday, February 19 (run 2).

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February 12, 2026

Samoa authorities detain NZ passport holder following marijuana seizure at airport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Samoa Customs and police found the 43-year-old man in possession of six bottles containing marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. 12 February 2026 Samoa Government

A 43-year-old Samoan national holding a New Zealand passport has been detained in Apia after allegedly being found with 90 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, local authorities said on Thursday.

The man, who resides in Australia, arrived on a Fiji Airways flight on Thursday and was allegedly found in possession of six bottles containing marijuana, along with a cannabis grinder and rolli.ng papers..

He was intercepted during routine border clearance processes at Faleolo International Airport and is in custody for further investigations and questioning, the Ministry of Customs and Samoa Police said in a joint statement.

“The items, which are deemed prohibited goods, were detected during standard screening and examination processes conducted by frontline Customs officers. The substances and associated paraphernalia were seized in accordance with the Customs Act and Narcotics Act,” the statement said.

According to the Samoa Customs CEO, the seizure reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to protecting Samoa’s borders from the importation of illicit drugs and prohibited goods.

“We continue to utilise risk profiling, intelligence, and screening technologies to safeguard our communities from the harmful impacts of drugs,” the Customs CEO was quoted as saying.

The Customs Ministry said the importation of illicit drugs and related paraphernalia into Samoa is strictly prohibited and carry severe penalties under local laws.

It added that travelers to the country are urged to declare all goods accurately and to familiarise themselves with Samoa’s import restrictions prior to travel.

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February 12, 2026

Former prison officer turned slavemaster Moeaia Tuai, jailed for more than 16 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Former prison officer Moeaia Tuai, who enslaved two young people in Auckland over several years will spend more than 16 years in jail.

Tuai raped and sexually assaulted one of them.

Tuai, 63, was found guilty by a jury last year of two charges of slavery, two counts of rape and a string of other sexual assaults.

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

In a victim statement, one of the complainants said her youthful happiness, and her voice, have been taken from her.

Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith said Tuai felt entitled to the money the two earned, controlling their finances to fund his lifestyle and threatening them with deportation.

Investigation and prosecution numbers were hard to track down, but Tuai’s slave dealing convictions are believed to be the fifth in New Zealand history.

More to come…

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February 12, 2026

Moa Point: Wellington mayor makes first move towards inquiry

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s Mayor says suggested terms of reference for an expected Crown review into the failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant are with the government.

It comes as Wellington Water crews enter the plant to begin assessing the damage from its massive meltdown last week.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said he’d given Local Government Minister Simon Watts his proposal for a terms of reference for any inquiry.

He expected the review would examine the mechanical cause of the breakdown and the environmental impact and the damage to the plant.

A model of Wellington’s south coast after the news of the Moa Point sewage plant failure. Supplied / Calypso Science

“…In terms of any governance issues, the contractual arrangements between the various parties, reporting to the various bodies, including the council, the information that was shared, was that adequate, was that appropriate? Should anybody have seen something that might have led to an earlier and preventative response? All those questions are contained in that,” Little said.

There were concerns at a Cabinet level about a full ministerial inquiry, which could be formalistic and expensive, he said.

“I had a discussion with David Seymour about it. He had expressed some supportive views, but also some concerning views earlier in the week. We had a good discussion about it. I think he understood what I was saying. So, I expect it will be a Crown review.”

Watts and Seymour have been approached for comment.

Little said it was important that any review was independent and had the powers to compel documents if needed.

While court action couldn’t be ruled out, the immediate focus was restoring a safe, functioning treatment plant, he said.

The Moa Point treatment plant. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Little said the Moa Point plant was likely facing a major rebuild, with costs expected to fall at least initially on Wellington City Council.

Early indications suggested a significant reinstallation of equipment would be needed, but there was no price tag, he said.

“We just don’t know what the cost is going to be, but you’d expect, from all of the accounts so far, you’d have to anticipate this is a major rebuild, at least a reinstallation of equipment, and that doesn’t come cheap.”

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little discusses Wellington Water Moa Point issue. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The mayor said the parties involved, including the Wellington City Council and Wellington Water, had insurance.

But he said responsibility hadn’t been determined, and it was too early to say who would foot the bill.

Little said the planned transfer of assets to Metro Water in July may now need renegotiating.

Meanwhile, a week on from the failure, Wellington Water crews have been able to enter the Moa Point plant to begin properly taking stock of the damage.

The company said workers were following strict risk protocols including personal protective equipment and risk analysis for each task.

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February 12, 2026

Black Fern Kelly Brazier retires to pursue coaching

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kelly Brazier has retired from international rugby as a champion in XVs and sevens. Photosport

Black Ferns legend Kelly Brazier has played her last international game.

After 18 years of playing rugby at the highest level Brazier said she knew it was time for the next chapter of her career.

“I reached a point where both my body and mind started to feel the wear and tear and I wanted to step away while I could still contribute at my best,” Brazier said of the timing of her retirement.

Widely regarded as one of the most versatile playmakers in New Zealand, Brazier made a significant contribution to women’s rugby during an illustrious playing career across XVs and sevens.

With 44 Tests for the Black Ferns, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner became the second woman to play in four World Cups in England last year, completing a return from injury to play her first Test since 2021.

Brazier has also won two Sevens World Cup titles, seven World Series sevens titles, Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and silver at the Sevens World Cup that same year.

Photosport NZ

“Growing up in New Zealand, I was like any other kid with a dream of representing my country and playing at the Olympics. To have done that not just once, but multiple times is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s truly been an honour and privilege to represent New Zealand and something I’ll always hold close to my heart.

“My journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was during those challenging moments that I learned the most about myself and what I was capable of.”

Off the field, Brazier had been working with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to help develop her as a coach.

Most recently she was an assistant coach at Global Youth Sevens and with the New Zealand Development Sevens team.

She had also been appointed Chiefs Manawa assistant coach in this year’s Super Rugby Aupiki. Prior to this, she was Brave Louvre Club Assistant Coach in Japan for the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series.

“My retirement decision came with exciting opportunities to transition into coaching, something that has always been a passion of mine and it felt like the perfect time to embrace the next challenge and share the knowledge I’ve gained with the next generation of players.”

Kelly Brazier of New Zealand is tackled by Claudia Pena Hidalgo of Spain at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Photosport

Black Ferns Sevens head coach Cory Sweeney said it had been “an absolute privilege working alongside her to reach the milestones she has”.

“Kelly is a true professional with world-class habits, a competitive mindset that never breaks and a rugby IQ up with the best in the world.

“When I think of Kelly, training ethic and a heart to match is what stands out. She has not only been world-class on the field but her willingness to support, house and nurture future athletes is also a great attribute of hers. Kelly is a wahine trailblazer, leaving a legacy and pathway for the next generation.”

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February 12, 2026

Concerns for seafarers on retired Interislander ferry

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Aratere ferry has been renamed Vega and sold to India – yet it remains in New Zealand waters. Supplied / Jason Grimmett

The Maritime Union of New Zealand is concerned about the well-being of seafarers on board the former Interislander ferry Aratere, now called the Vega, which is anchored in Tasman Bay waiting to sail to India.

Maritime NZ said it does not know how many crew are on board or where they are from and has no plans to carry out inspections or interventions to check on their welfare.

The Vega is waiting for consent to enter India, where it will be taken to a shipyard and dismantled.

Maritime Union NZ national secretary Carl Findlay said the Vega had been sitting at anchor in Tasman Bay for more than 50 days and the union had received reports about the well-being of crew members who had been on the ship for almost two months.

The union did not have any concerns about crew welfare on the Vega until it was contacted by RNZ.

Findlay said contracts obtained by the union showed the ship was registered to Jahaj Solutions (F.Z.E), which was based in the United Arab Emirates.

“This vessel was once the flagship of New Zealand’s ferry fleet. It is now sitting off our coast with a foreign crew who are cut off from shore and on contracts that pay well below International Labour Organisation (ILO) minimum standards,” he said.

Crew agreements viewed by the union showed an able seaman on board the ship was being paid a basic wage of $206USD ($340NZD) per month.

This was significantly below the ILO minimum basic wage for an able seafarer, which rose to $690USD ($1140NZD) per month on 1 January 2026, the union said.

Findlay said the total monthly pay for an able seaman is only $550USD ($909NZD), even with overtime and allowances, which was far below accepted international minimums.

He said the boat’s agents and master had reported the crew were in good health and that provisions were being supplied but that needed to be independently verified.

The union wants Maritime NZ to conduct an immediate, independent welfare check on all crew members on the Vega to ensure they were safe, correctly paid and had the option to be repatriated if they wanted to leave the vessel.

As the Port State Control authority, Maritime NZ is able to carry out crew welfare inspections or interventions.

A spokesperson said there was no action currently underway or planned for the Vega by Maritime NZ.

“As is the case for any other foreign ship in our waters, if people have concerns about crew welfare, Maritime NZ asks them to notify us,” they said.

Why hasn’t the Vega left New Zealand?

KiwiRail announced last October that it had agreed to sell the Aratere to a buyer that would deliver it to a specialist recycling shipyard in India.

At the time, Interislander’s executive general manager Duncan Roy said it had done due diligence and physical inspections of the shipyard in India.

“Once the buyer takes ownership of the ship it will be responsible for crewing its journey to the recycling yard subject to review by the Environmental Protection Authority,” he said.

An Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) spokesperson said the Vega was awaiting an import consent from the Indian Competent Authority and there was no timeline for how long that would take.

The EPA said the application for the ship’s export was complete and relevant application documents had been provided to the Indian Competent Authority.

“We cannot finalise the export application until the Indian Competent Authority has granted consent for import,” the spokesperson said.

“We have not been provided a timeline for this process, but it is not unusual for these applications to take some time. The EPA continues to actively follow up on progress with the Indian Competent Authority and provide additional information if/where needed.”

The ship remains the responsibility of the company that purchased it with the intention of exporting it to India.

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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/2026/02/12/concerns-for-seafarers-on-retired-interislander-ferry/

February 12, 2026

Exercise can be as effective as medication for depression, anxiety – study

Source: Radio New Zealand

Depression and anxiety affect millions of people worldwide.

While treatments such as medication and psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) can be very effective, they’re not always an option. Barriers include cost, stigma, long waiting lists for appointments, and potential drug side effects.

So what about exercise? Our new research, confirms physical activity can be just as effective for some people as therapy or medication. This is especially true when it’s social and guided by a professional, such as a gym class or running club.

Aerobic activities – such as walking, running, cycling or swimming – are best at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms.

Max Zaharenkov

.

But the evidence can be confusing. Hundreds of studies with diverse results make it unclear how much exercise is beneficial, what type, and who it helps most.

Over the past two decades, researchers have conducted dozens of separate meta-analyses (studies that combine results from multiple trials) examining exercise for depression and anxiety. But these have still left gaps in understanding how effective exercise is for different age groups and whether the type of exercise matters.

Many studies have also included participants with confounding factors (influences that can distort research findings), such as other chronic diseases, for example, diabetes or arthritis. This means it can be hard to apply the findings more broadly.

What we did

Our research aimed to resolve this confusion by conducting a “meta-meta-analysis”. This means we systematically reviewed the results of all the existing meta-analyses – there were 81 – to determine what the evidence really shows.

Together, this meant data from nearly 80,000 participants across more than 1,000 original trials.

We examined multiple factors that might explain why their results varied. These included differences in:

who they studied (for example, people with diagnosed depression or anxiety versus those just experiencing symptoms, different age groups, and women during pregnancy and after birth)
what the exercise involved (for example, comparing aerobic fitness to resistance training and mind-body exercises, such as yoga; whether it was supervised by a professional; intensity and duration)
whether the exercise was individual or in a group.

We also used advanced statistical techniques to accurately isolate and estimate the exact impact of exercise, separate from confounding factors (including other chronic diseases).

Our data looked at the impact of exercise alone on depression and anxiety. But sometimes people will also use antidepressants and/or therapy, so further research would be needed to explore the effect of these when combined.

Study reveals benefits of exercise for body and mind

Midday Report

What did the study find?

Exercise is effective at reducing both depression and anxiety. But there is some nuance.

We found exercising had a high impact on depression symptoms and a medium impact on anxiety, compared to staying inactive.

The benefits were comparable to, and in some cases better than, more widely prescribed mental health treatments, including therapy and antidepressants.

Adults aged 18 to 30 and women who had recently given birth showed the biggest benefits from exercise.

Unsplash / Natalia Blauth

Importantly, we discovered who exercise helps most. Two groups showed the most improvement: adults aged 18 to 30 and women who had recently given birth.

Many women experience barriers to exercising after giving birth, including lack of time, confidence or access to appropriate and affordable activities.

Our findings suggest that making it more accessible could be an important strategy to address new mothers’ mental health in this vulnerable time.

How you exercise matters

We also found aerobic activities – such as walking, running, cycling or swimming – were best at reducing both depression and anxiety symptoms.

However, all forms of exercise reduced symptoms, including resistance training (such as lifting weights) and mind-body practices (such as yoga).

For depression, there were greater improvements when people exercised with others and were guided by a professional, such as a group fitness class.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t available data on group or supervised exercise for anxiety, so we would need more research to find out if the impact is similar.

Exercising once or twice a week had a similar effect on depression as exercising more frequently. And there didn’t seem to be a significant difference between exercising vigorously or at a low intensity – all were beneficial.

But for anxiety, the best improvements in anxiety symptoms were when exercise was done:

consistently, for up to eight weeks, and
at a lower intensity, such as walking or swimming laps at a gentle pace.

So what does all this mean?

Our research shows exercise is a legitimate and evidence-based treatment option for depression and anxiety, particularly for people with diagnosed conditions.

However, simply telling patients to “exercise more” is unlikely to be effective.

Exercising once or twice a week had a similar effect on depression as exercising more frequently.

123rf

The evidence shows structured, supervised exercise with a social component is best for improving depression and anxiety. The social aspect and the accountability may help keep people motivated.

Clinicians should keep this in mind, offering referrals to specific programs – such as aerobic fitness classes or supervised walking and running programs – rather than general advice.

The findings also suggest this kind of exercise can be particularly effective when targeted to depression in younger adults and women who’ve recently given birth.

The takeaway

For people who are hesitant about medication or facing long waits for therapy, supervised group exercise may be an effective alternative. It’s evidence-based, and you can start any time.

But it’s still best to get advice from a professional. If you have anxiety or depression symptoms, you should talk to your GP or psychologist. They can advise where exercise fits in your treatment plan, potentially alongside therapy and/or medication.

Neil Munro is a PhD Candidate in Psychology at James Cook University. James Dimmock is a Professor i in Psychology at James Cook University. Klaire Somoray is a Lecturer in Psychology at James Cook University. Samantha Teague is a Senior Research Fellow in Psychology at James Cook University.

Where to get help

Help

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/exercise-can-be-as-effective-as-medication-for-depression-anxiety-study/

February 12, 2026

Christchurch man due in court after stealing vehicle he hit, attempting to steal three others

Source: Radio New Zealand

Enquires into the events remain ongoing. 123RF

A Christchurch man has been arrested after crashing, stealing a vehicle he hit, then attempting to take another three vehicles.

Police were called to Queen Elizabeth II Drive after reports of a stolen vehicle following a three vehicle crash.

They said a 28-year-old man had forced a driver he crashed into from their car, before leaving the area.

He was later found on Papanui Road after attempting to steal another three vehicles.

Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer said there were no serious injuries.

He said police found “cannabis and items indicating supply” during a search of the man’s first vehicle.

The man due to appear in the District Court in Christchurch on Thursday charged with possession of cannabis for supply, careless driving, driving in a dangerous manner, two counts of failing to stop or ascertain injury and two counts of robbery.

Enquires into the events remain ongoing.

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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/2026/02/12/christchurch-man-due-in-court-after-stealing-vehicle-he-hit-attempting-to-steal-three-others/

February 12, 2026

The easiest way to clean your microwave and a common mistake

Source: Radio New Zealand

When was the last time you cleaned your microwave?

If you close the door, a little bit of food splatter or a slight smell is pretty easy to ignore.

But according to experts, the sooner you deal with the problem the better. Cleaning the microwave is also a lot simpler than some other appliances (namely, the dreaded oven).

Choice says it’s important to clean up food caught in cracks and crevices.

123rf

?

Well, it all depends on how often you use it, according to Australian consumer group Choice.

Choice suggests immediately removing any spills with a damp cloth.

You can also wipe the microwave interior down with a microfibre cloth immediately after cooking steamy foods (such as vegetables and rice) because it will be warm and damp, Choice says.

Jason Shipway runs a cleaning business and lives in Bunbury, Western Australia, on the traditional lands of the Noongar people.

“We clean houses weekly, fortnightly, monthly and I find the ones that we clean weekly, their microwaves are pretty much never dirty.”

Shipway suggests giving your microwave a proper clean about every two weeks “to keep on top of it”.

And if you’re worried that skipping a clean is too much of a health hazard, it’s probably okay.

“The risks from not cleaning the microwave in general are very low,” says Dr Rozita Vaskoska, a microbiologist and senior scientist with the CSIRO.

Recently prepared food coming into contact with old “food remains” could create a “very low” risk of contamination.

But Vaskoska says cleaning up any food spills, splatters or leaks as soon as they happen eliminates that concern.

Other than that, she suggests giving the inside a wipe-down every few days or weekly.

What is the best way to clean the inside of a microwave?

Shipway says the best solution is to use water, lemon slices and vinegar.

“Get a little bowl and fill it with one or two cups of water. Slice up a lemon [and add it to the bowl], add a few dashes of vinegar in there and then you just turn the microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes.”

This method loosens up old food grime and oil stains while also deodorising, Shipway says.

“Everything will just wipe off really easily without potentially harming anything in the microwave.”

Choice recommends the same approach:

Adding vinegar or lemon to a heat-proof bowl of water,
Running the microwave until the water is boiling,
Leaving the microwave door closed for 5 minutes for the steam to loosen the residue and;
Wiping the interior

Choice suggests staying nearby while the microwave is on to make sure the solution doesn’t boil over and warns that the bowl will be hot when you remove it.

“You can also remove the turntable [microwave plate], rinse it off and wipe each side down with a paper towel to let your microwave shine once more.”

The turntable can also be cleaned in your sink or dishwasher (if it’s dishwasher safe and small enough), Choice says.

Choice also recommends wiping the exterior with a cloth and warm soapy water as part of a more thorough clean.

Rozita Vaskoska says it’s best to clean up food spills immediately.

Supplied/Rozita Vaskoska

Look for any gunk around dials and crevices (a toothbrush or toothpick may be called for).

You can even make a paste with water and bicarb soda and scrub gently to help tackle stubborn residue, Choice adds.

“Never use anything metal and make sure the microwave is unplugged before you start.”

Vaskoska recommends wiping down the inside of the microwave with warm water and a little dishwashing liquid.

“And, then washing the plate as [you would] any other dish would be sufficient.”

Methods to avoid

Shipway says people often spray a degreaser inside their microwave to loosen up any build-up, but he doesn’t recommend it.

“If there’s any residue left behind, it’s going to [spread] up into the internals of the microwave [when it heats up] and it could damage it.”

If you’re going to use any products inside the microwave ensure they are food safe, Shipway says.

Choice also advises against using harsh or specialist chemicals for the job.

Vaskoska says “conventional methods” involving detergent, vinegar or baking soda are all good options.

“People should avoid abrasive chemicals or even some flammable chemicals, such as some alcohol.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/the-easiest-way-to-clean-your-microwave-and-a-common-mistake/

February 12, 2026

Black Ferns to play in Sacremento and Kansas City

Source: Radio New Zealand

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand scores a try against the USA Eagles Women. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The remaining two fixtures of the Pacific Four Series have been revealed by hosts USA Rugby, with the Black Ferns playing matches in Sacramento and Kansas City.

The Black Ferns’ schedule will start against the US at Heart Health Park on Sunday, 12 April at 11.00am NZT.

Kansas City will then host the Black Ferns clash with Canada on Saturday, 18 April at 10:15am NZT.

The Black Ferns last played the US last year in Auckland with the hosts winning 79-14 on their way to winning the Pacific Four Title.

Jorja Miller in action for the Black Ferns against the USA women. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Canada beat the Black Ferns 34-19 in last year’s World Cup semi-finals, with the two teams drawing 27-27 in the 2025 Pacific Four series.

New Zealand Rugby general manager of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said it’s a great opportunity for the Black Ferns to showcase their talent in front of new audiences.

“The United States is an important market for rugby, as we build toward the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033.

“The Pacific Four Series is a chance for the Black Ferns to inspire and connect with other sports fans, through fast-paced, dynamic and entertaining rugby.”

USA Rugby boss Bill Goren said he was excited to bring the world-class tournament and teams to the US fanbase.

“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033 now one year closer, these multi-match events act as building blocks towards our goal of record success in 2033.

“Last year was a historic year for women’s rugby, we’re ready to continue that momentum this spring with a strong collective of host cities, partners and players.”

The Black Ferns will end their Pacific Four Series run when they meet the Wallaroos in a historic match at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Anzac Day as previously announced.

Black Ferns Pacific Four Series 2026 Schedule:

Black Ferns v USA

Saturday, April 11, 4.00pm PT (Sunday, April 12, 11.00am NZT) kick-off

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

–

Black Ferns v Canada

Friday, April 17, 5.15pm CT (Saturday, April 18, 10.15am NZT) kick-off

CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

–

Black Ferns v Australia

Saturday, April 25, 7.45pm AEST (9.45pm NZT) kick-off

Sunshine Coast Stadium

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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/2026/02/12/black-ferns-to-play-in-sacremento-and-kansas-city/

February 12, 2026

Weekend weather: Soggy days ahead in North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

You may need to keep your raincoats handy as the warm weather the North Island is experiencing may take a turn this weekend.

A low-pressure system is lining up a soggy weekend, bringing warm, humid air and the risk of heavy rain, especially for parts of the North Island still recovering after January’s floods.

MetService meteorologist, Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told Morning Report the next few days will be warm and humid for the North Island.

Muggy overnight temperatures on the way for the second half of the week as a warm-moist airmass pushes over us

Parts of the upper North Island will have overnight low temperatures around 20°C.

Meanwhile, Southland could have maximum temperatures in the high 20s on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/GexGcCsgyY

— MetService NZ (@MetService) February 10, 2026

Makgabutlane said there are a couple of weather systems on the way this weekend.

On Friday, a front is expected to move across the South Island, bringing a period of heavy rain and strong winds.

However, it’s the weather system moving onto the North Island on Saturday that Makgabutlane said was the one of interest.

A trough over the northern Tasman Sea is likely to move onto the North Island, bringing very humid conditions with scattered showers and possible thunderstorms on Saturday through to Monday.

“The two main things to look out for with the system is that intensification. How deep that low-pressure system is will be one thing that tells us how strong or how much rain we will see,” Makgabutlane said.

“The other thing is the location of that weather system. So, if it forms a couple of hundred kilometres to to the east of us, [it’s] probably going to be a lovely weekend for most of us, but even if it forms just a little bit closer to us, then we could be in for quite a wet weekend.”

As things stand, it does look like it will be a wet couple of days ahead, she said.

At this point, the areas that look the most likely to bear the brunt of the weather are most of the North Island on Saturday, and the lower and eastern parts of the North Island on Sunday and into Monday.

“Over the next coming days, I would say certainly keep an eye out for those [weather] watches because they do look likely,” Makgabutlane said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/weekend-weather-soggy-days-ahead-in-north-island/

February 12, 2026

Speed limit increases on Transmission Gully

Source: Radio New Zealand

Transmission Gully. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Transmission Gully will move to a 110km/h speed limit from next week.

The 27km stretch of State Highway 1 was opened in 2022, with the government saying it was designed and built to support higher-speed travel.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the road was a critical transport link for Wellington and Kāpiti, and carried around 22,000 vehicles a day.

“Since opening in 2022, Transmission Gully has recorded low crash rates, with no deaths despite more than 150 barrier strikes. Safety features, including two lanes in each direction and a flexible median barrier between opposing lanes help reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash,” he said.

Bishop said during public consultation in 2025, 92 percent of the 2061 submissions supported raising the speed limit.

The 4.6km Raumati Straights section of State Highway 1 will remain at 100km/h, before the speed limit returns to 110km/h at the Kāpiti Expressway.

Bishop said while Raumati Straights was consulted on, technical assessments showed the section did not meet the minimum safety and design requirements for raising the speed limits.

He did not rule out increasing the speed limit in the future, but it would require “significant investment in safety improvements.”

The changes will take effect from 12:01am on Monday, February 16.

The highway stretch has had a chequered history, with its completion date pushed out from 2020 to 2022.

The initial expected cost of $850 million also blew out to $1.25 billion.

Some sections of the highway have had to be rebuilt because the initial chip-sealing work was never completed

The road was built under a Public Private Partnership, with the builders of the road taking the New Zealand Transport Agency to court over a dispute about unfinished construction and quality checks. The matter was eventually settled out of court.

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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/2026/02/12/speed-limit-increases-on-transmission-gully/

February 12, 2026

Name suppression continues for teen charged with murder of elderly woman in Burnham

Source: Radio New Zealand

The woman was found dead at a Burnham home in January. RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon

A man charged with murdering an elderly woman and attacking two family members at a rural Canterbury property is yet to enter a plea.

The woman’s body was found at a home in on Burnham School Rd, Burnham last month.

The 19-year-old, whose identity remains suppressed, appeared at the High Court at Christchurch on Thursday morning.

His next appearance would be in April.

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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/2026/02/12/name-suppression-continues-for-teen-charged-with-murder-of-elderly-woman-in-burnham/

February 12, 2026

Britney Spears sells rights to music catalogue in reported $330m deal

Source: Radio New Zealand

US singer Britney Spears has become the latest musician to sell the rights to her catalogue that includes hits like ‘…Baby One More Time’ and ‘Oops!…I Did It Again’, US media is reporting.

The deal is believed to be worth around $US200 million (NZ$330 million), according to sources cited by celebrity site TMZ, though it said the exact amount is not detailed in legal documents.

That sum would be comparable to the sale of Canadian singer Justin Bieber’s catalogue in 2023.

Reuters and US outlets reported Spears had sold the rights to independent music publisher Primary Wave, which is also home to artists including Whitney Houston, Prince and Stevie Nicks.

Neither Spears nor Primary Wave have responded publicly to the news.

Spears, 44, joins a growing list of artists who have sold their music rights in recent years including Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, as well as Shakira and KISS.

Owners of a song’s publishing rights receive payment for every broadcast, album sale or use in advertising and films.

The growing music rights market allows artists to monetise their catalogues, which are attractive long-term assets for investors in the streaming era.

Major labels like Sony, Universal and Warner have also expanded in this line of business, alongside specialist investors Recognition Music Group and Concord Music Publishing.

Spears shot to fame in the late 1990s but has largely stepped back from the music scene in recent years.

In 2021, a US court terminated a 13-year conservatorship that had allowed Spears’s father to control her finances — an arrangement the singer had described as abusive.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/britney-spears-sells-rights-to-music-catalogue-in-reported-330m-deal/

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Britney Spears sells rights to music catalogue in reported $330m deal