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Speedsters Zoe Hobbs, Tiaan Whelpton qualify for world indoor championships at Douglas International

Source: Radio New Zealand

Zoe Hobbs shows her rivals a clean pair of heels over the sprints at the Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

Kiwi speedster Zoe Hobbs has shown her readiness for a full international programme, cracking the still respectable 11-second mark over 100m at the Sir Graeme Douglas International in Auckland.

Running with the benefit of an excessive tailwind, Hobbs tore down the backstraight in 10.99s to punctuate a day that also saw her qualifying for the world indoor championships over 60m.

With winds fluctuating in direction throughout the evening, she recorded her 7.18s into a similar headwind to the one that later carried her home over the longer distance.

“Great day at the office,” Hobbs agreed. “Most of my focus has been around the 60, so to have a 10 in front of the number over 100 is a bonus.

“Even though it’s an illegal wind, I’ll take that.”

The Kiwi sprinters have been somewhat plagued by weather and winds so far this summer, with headwinds at the Potts Classic in Hastings and massive tailwinds at the Cooks Classic at Whanganui.

In the end, the West Auckland winds probably cancelled themselves out sufficiently to produce ideal results all round.

“I really needed to get the weight off my shoulder with that qualifier and the first two comps if the season have unfortunately been cold ones,” Hobbs said. “The conditions haven’t been the best, but I knew today I really had to take advantage of the warm weather.

“It was nice not to run in tights today and to actually run in proper comp kit. It felt good to be at a home meet as well, with family here and the comfort of staying at home.”

Tiaan Whelpton dominated his opposition for a pair of sprint victories at the Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

Hobbs has twice reached the world indoor final over the shorter distance and has now booked her ticket to Poland in March.

Another to check that off his priority list was male counterpart Tiaan Whelpton, who was hampered by the same headwind over 60m, but nailed his qualifier en route to a 10.10s meet record over 100m.

Unlike Hobbs, his time over the longer distance was a personal best, matching his time at the same venue last year.

“Big shout out to the officials for setting that up for us, so we could get a 60 split in the 100,” Whelpton said. “Unfortunately, we had a headwind in the 60 and 6.63s was still pretty good, but I knew there was more in the tank and the 100 metres absolutely produced that.

“That 6.55s with a legal wind should stamp my ticket to Poland for my third world indoor campaign, which I’m very excited for.”

Whelpton clocked 10.02s over 100m at Whanganui with a massive wind at his back that ruled out what would have been a national record, but he’s sure Eddie Oseai-Nketia’s 10.08s mark is not far away under the right conditions.

Another to master the swirling winds was pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, who cleared 4.63m on her third attempt to prove she’s in great physical and mental shape.

She needed three attempts to achieve her opening height of 4.30m, squirmed over 4.50m on her second, but stayed in the game to soar over 4.63m, before calling it quits, after one miss at 4.70m.

“Things have been tracking really, really well over the last few months, so to have good conditions today made it really easy,” she said.

Eliza McCartney soared over 4.63m at the Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

“It was challenging, but certainly not the most challenging you have to deal with in pole vault. When it moves around a bit, it’s tricky to get your marks right and you can imagine, when you’re carrying a long pole, it’s getting blown around and doesn’t help your run either.”

McCartney’s career has been plagued with injury and illness, but she’s buoyed by this performance and will now reconsider her next move, with world indoors also her most immediate goal.

She’s keenly aware that training partners Olivia McTaggart and Imogen Ayris are in top form on the European indoor circuit, she’s now considering bypassing the rest of the NZ summer to chase more benign conditions under the roof.

Shot putter Tom Walsh also hopes to defend his world indoor title next month and declared himself pleased with his 20.80m winning effort in his first competition of the year.

“There were a lot of good things,” he assessed. “Things seemed to work easily – I’ve tried a lot harder and thrown about the same, especially early in the season.

“I haven’t been this strong all round this early in the season. Yes, my squat’s been better or my bench has been better, but not all together.

“All the numbers are better than they’ve ever been together, so we’re ready to go.”

Tom Walsh was in solid early-season form at the Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

Elsewhere around the stadium, Rosa Twyford ran a big personal best 4m 14.10s over 1500 metres, while Lex Revell-Lewis could not hold off the challenge of Danish champion Gustav Lundholm Nielsen over 400 metres, clocking 46.64s.

Whelpton returned to the track for an attempt on the national 4×100 metres mixed relay, but while his team clocked 43.04s, they ran out of their zone on the last change and were disqualified.

“To know we can run that time with a couple of sloppy changes tells me we can shave off another half a second and that would put us top 10 in the world,” he reflected.

“Absolutely, we’re going to keep working on it – the relay’s a major focus for me. I see it as an awesome opportunity to represent New Zealand on the world stage.”

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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/2026/02/08/speedsters-zoe-hobbs-tiaan-whelpton-qualify-for-world-indoor-championships-at-douglas-international/

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Tennis: NZ advances in Davis Cup after felling Bosnia and Herzegovina

Source: Radio New Zealand

Action during the singles tennis match between Anton Shepp of New Zealand and Mirza Basic of Bosnia & Herzegovina at the David Cup match in Whangarei. Michael Bradley/Tennis NZ

New Zealand have advanced to the next round of tennis’ Davis Cup with a remarkable victory in their tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Whangārei.

The New Zealanders were staring defeat in the face after Anton Shepp and James Watt lost their opening singles matches on Saturday.

But they were revived by an inspiring effort from Ajeet Rai and Finn Reynolds in the doubles today. They played assured tennis to shut out Tomislav Brkic and Vladan Tadic 6-2 6-1.

The Kiwis still needed to win both reverse singles, but Watt and Shepp lifted their efforts in dramatic fashion.

Watt beat Andrej Nedic 6-3 7-6, taking the match in a tiebreak despite struggling physically.

“I felt like I let the crowd down yesterday,” Watt said in his on-court interview.

“I was cramping in that tiebreak, but I wanted to put my body on the line for my country.”

Then Shepp kept the Whangārei crowd cheering by taking the first set off Mirza Basic, 6-2. Shepp was up 5-2 in the second set but the 34-year-old Basic broke Shepp’s serve and then got back to 5-4 and had Shepp in trouble on his serve again at 15-40 before Shepp fought back.

He thumped successive aces to take the match and the tie and give New Zealand coach Artem Sitak one huge 40th birthday present.

The team rushed to embrace the 23-year-old Shepp, who told the crowd he was very proud of his team-mates.

“We had a big task today coming back from two-zero. Credit to all the lads, we put on a really big performance,” he said on the Sky Sport broadcast.

“Honoured to be here. This is my debut so thank you very much for making me feel so welcome.”

New Zealand now progresses to the second round, which will be held after the US Open in September. The draw has not been done yet, so they don’t know yet who their opponents will be.

The next round will be in September, with the draw yet to be made.

If they win their second round match, they make the final eight teams, plus the wildcard of Italy.

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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/2026/02/08/tennis-nz-advances-in-davis-cup-after-felling-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

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From caucus to admin: Kevin Hague on his new role

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Green Party’s relatively new Chief of Staff, former MP Kevin Hague. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Few political staff roles are more crucial than a party’s chief of staff.

While television and film depictions of the role in shows like House of Cards and The West Wing have helped cement the role in the political imagination of audiences, those portrayals occasionally ring true but are more drama than reality.

A chief of staff needs sharp political instincts and a deep understanding of how Parliament works, which is why it might not surprise you that former MPs sometimes take the job.

Former MP Kevin Hague is the Green Party’s relatively new chief of staff. After time away, Hague has returned to the Parliamentary ecosystem, likely facing a frantic first year as the Greens prepare for the 7 November election.

New arrivals often have interesting insights (and are more willing to chat), so in late 2025, The House sat down with Hague to talk about what the chief job involves beyond its on-screen reputation.

Hague was a Green MP from 2008 to 2016. He had a reputation around Parliament as a backroom thinker and organiser. In the decade since, he held the role of chief executive of Forest and Bird, along with time spent on various boards.

Hague acknowledges parallels between his new role and being a CEO.

In a political party, “MPs are both the board of the company… the people to whom I report, but also the key clients of our work.”

Another way of looking at it, said Hague, is that of a coach of a sports team; an analogy especially apt in what is both an election and World Cup year.

“You’re not trying to be at your peak performance all the way through, you’re practising things, you’re seeing how things are, how various tactics will go.”

Though the chief of staff does work closely with MPs, the remit is primarily ensuring cohesion between the engine room of a political party (its staff) and the MPs.

Surprisingly, the chief of staff role is not a specifically political one. It is more crucial that the chief is capable of managing a range of highly political personalities.

But politics is unavoidable, he said.

“I think if I didn’t have a commitment to the same values and vision that the MPs have, [and] the party has, it would be difficult to do the job. Fundamentally, you’re giving political advice. Well, how do you do that if you don’t have a shared understanding of what we’re trying to achieve?”

During the current Parliament, an unusually high number of Green MPs have exited, whether by tragedy, choice or scandal. This exodus hasn’t just been limited to MPs. A lot of staff have also resigned, leading to speculations of either testy relations or poor management.

A key part of the chief of staff role is to keep everyone rowing in the same direction and stopping anyone from jumping out of the boat altogether. Hague said he plans to bring some discipline from both his time as a caucus strategist and also as a chief executive.

To listen to The House‘s full interview with Kevin Hague, click the link near the top of the page.

RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk.

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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/2026/02/08/from-caucus-to-admin-kevin-hague-on-his-new-role/

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T20 cricket World Cup live: New Zealand Black Caps v Afghanistan

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket acton, as the Black Caps take on Afghanistan at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for their first match of the T20 World Cup.

The 10th edition of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup runs from 7 February to 8 March.

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Glenn Phillips and Jimmy Neesham. Photosport

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/t20-cricket-world-cup-live-new-zealand-black-caps-v-afghanistan/

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Island Bay Festival cancels water-based activities due to sewage spill but thousands still attend

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thousands attended the popular festival despite cancellation of water-based activities. Krystal Gibbens/RNZ

The cancellation of water-based activities at this year’s Island Bay Festival didn’t put too much of a dampener on the day.

Thousands of people congregated at the festival which had to cancel one of its headline events, the Blessing of the Boats, earlier this week.

The festival said the decision was made in line with public health advice after thousands of litres of untreated sewage spilled into the sea around the southern coast after the long outfall pipe backed up at the Moa Point Wastewater Plant.

A rāhui remains in effect from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay, and advice to the public continues to be to stay off south coast beaches, not to collect or eat shellfish from the affected coastal waters, avoid the area around Tarakena Bay altogether, and avoid contact with sea water or spray.

Water-based activities had been cancelled from the Island Bay Festival. Krystal Gibbens/RNZ

Down at the festival Rosie said they came to the festival every year and made time for the Blessing of the Boats and the Tangata Manu Birdman Beach Party.

The Beach Party had avoided cancellation but had been relocated to Shorland Park and moved to Friday 13 February.

She said it was a shame the events had been affected by the wastewater discharge.

“It doesn’t feel like the normal Island Bay festival.”

Sam said she was very disappointed Blessing of the Boats had been cancelled. She said it was what many people came to the festival for.

“It’s a big Catholic community so I think it’s really important for them to see that and obviously the Italian side.”

Kate said the real disappointment was Wellington’s infrastructure.

“This is not the first time we’ve had sewerage going into the sea,” she said. “We’ve just got to stop making these mistakes.”

She had brought her stepson and his partner who were visiting from overseas to support the local event and they had enjoyed the variety of street food available.

Leanne said the kids were “bummed” they couldn’t go swimming and the sewage situation needed to get sorted.

A rāhui remains in effect from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay. Krystal Gibbens/RNZ

Anika hoped not being able to go in the ocean wouldn’t deter people from coming to the festival, but she said what was going on in the ocean was really sad.

“I’ve talked to quite a few people who are really grieving what this means for the creatures that live here for the marine life, for the diversity that we have, that has taken so long to protect,” she said.

For many the water events however weren’t why they came to the festival.

“We live locally, so it’s nice to come down and support and come check it out,” said Dave.

William said he and his family lived just up the street and came down to the festival for something to do.

He said with a young baby they wouldn’t have gone to the beach anyway.

Lin from Christchurch and Jan from Melbourne saw the festival advertised and decided to come along.

The pair had come for a pickleball tournament, which they ended up pulling out of due to injuries.

Lin said the pair had seen some signs about the wastewater, but it hadn’t impacted their trip at all.

“We’ve just been having an amazing time because Wellington weather’s been great and we’ve just been doing a lot of sightseeing,” said Jan.

Many still attended the festival despite the water restrictions. Krystal Gibbens/RNZ

Newest water samples show wastewater had not reached inner harbour

Wellington Water says the latest results show there is no indication that untreated wastewater has reached the inner harbour.

The latest water quality tests taken on Friday show wastewater is still discharging into the ocean and people should stay off south coast beaches.

But it shows there is no sign the polluted wastewater has reached Eastbourne, Petone the CBD or Kilbirnie.

Some areas where there had been higher readings also looked to be lower than in previous days.

Wellington Water chair Nick Leggett today’s results were positive news, but for now the advice is still to stay out of the water.

“What we will be doing is building up a pattern and a trend from the testing in the days ahead,” he said

“By the end of the week we might be in a better position to sort of say with some confidence and provide some clarity, whether or not that can change.”

Leggett said the clean up of the Moa Point plant would also continue over the next week.

“Our hope is that by this time next week, we will have a much cleaner plant which will allow the assessments to start taking place so we can understand what it’s going to take to rehabilitate the plant and get it back operating.”

People get in touch with marine life at the Bait House

While people weren’t able to dip a toe in the sea water at Island Bay, also open during the festival was the Marine Education Centre Bait House.

Visitors were told as they entered that the facility had stopped its seawater intake the night before the wastewater spillage due to the predicted heavy rain.

“All our marine life is healthy and happy,” the Marine Education Centre said on its Facebook page earlier this week.

The bait house is its touch pool at the Marine Education Centre Bait House was still open for those wanting to connect with the marine environment in a different way. Krystal Gibbens/RNZ

“We dodged a bullet. Many years of operating a tiny aquarium on the South Coast and being in tune with nature as much as possible paid off.”

One of the biggest attractions of the bait house is its touch pool where people could pick up starfish and other critters, and while people were given the option to ditch the hands-on experience if they were concerned about the water, most were still quick to dive in despite the water issues nearby.

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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/2026/02/08/island-bay-festival-cancels-water-based-activities-due-to-sewage-spill-but-thousands-still-attend/

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Cook Islands reports dengue death, amid increase in outbreak

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aedes aegypti mosquitos spreading the dengue virus between people, people in the Cook Islands, including tourists, have been warned to take precautions. Tony Wills via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0)

A clinician says dengue fever vaccines should be made available in New Zealand as the Cook Islands reports a death from their current outbreak – an outbreak that has seen cases of the disease in Aotearoa grow too.

The country’s health ministry said an elderly patient with underlying conditions had arrived to hospital late in the disease’s progression, and died on 2 February.

Authorities have now announced Operation Namu-26 to raise awareness and promote prevention, including reminding tourists to stay safe.

Dengue is a virus passed between people by mosquitos, and Operation Namu-26 will include an increase in insecticide spraying work on the affected islands, as well as a nation-wide clean up to reduce places where water could pool and mosquito eggs could be.

The Cook Islands declared a dengue outbreak in May 2025, and more than 500 cases have been recorded there since.

In New Zealand, 86 people had been reported to have contracted dengue, with 75 of those cases connected to travel to the Cook Islands.

There had been “a significant increase in dengue cases on Rarotonga at the end of December 2025, and again at the end of January 2026”, the Cook Islands health ministry said. Cases had also been found on the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.

Clinician calls for travellers to take precautions, and vaccine to be made available in New Zealand

A vaccine against dengue is essential for New Zealanders to avoid potentially life-threatening bouts of the disease, and should also be made available here too, Auckland doctor Marc Shaw told RNZ.

There is currently no vaccine against dengue currently available in New Zealand, Health New Zealand said.

Shaw is the founder and medical director of Worldwise Travellers Health, and said a dengue vaccine is available in Australia, and has been trailed and tested across most of the world, including in Europe, the US, and South America.

There was strong demand for it in New Zealand, but it needs to be registered by Medsafe in order to be offered here, he said.

Children and older people are more susceptible to dengue fever, Shaw said. And while a first infection is usually not too serious for a healthy adult, the disease is also dangerous for anyone who catches it a second time.

Everyone headed to the Pacific should use the insect repellent permethrin, including spraying their clothes with it, and should wear light coloured clothing, Shaw said.

“The second attack can be a lot more sinister, in that it can cause a lot more potential for death or more serious disease requiring hospitalisation.

“So to this end, it is very important, that if people have had dengue fever in the past, that they take extra precautions for prevention of the disease on the second, third or fourth attack.”

Most types of mosquito are more active at dawn and dusk, but the mosquito species that transmits dengue is active for many hours during the day. It can also transmit other harmful viruses, including Zika and Chikungunya.

“It’s a daytime biting mosquito, and because of that, mosquito repellant is going to be essential for the prevention of diseases at that time,” Shaw said.

“I don’t recommend that people need to necessarily stop going to these wonderful areas that we have on our back doorstep, but to take good precautions – just to be aware of having some good mosquito repellant.

“I and my group are trying to make [a vaccine against dengue] more readily available, because we have a lot of demand for it – and it is this demand I think which is particularly significant at the moment, where the potential of the disease becomes a lot more likely given that people going into a dengue-ridden area can be attacked very easily by mosquito bites.”

Cook Islands tourism spots to take prevention measures

Tourist companies would be providing dengue prevention items to visitors and spraying on their properties following the ministry’s guidelines, the Cook Islands ministry of health said.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, headache, joint or muscle pain, or rash should “seek urgent medical attention immediately …so that timely care can be provided”.

New Zealand clinician and University of Auckland lecturer Dr Maryann Heather recently told RNZ that one in four people infected with dengue get sick.

Symptoms include headaches, pain behind the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, skin rash, lethargy, tiredness, and high fever, and can be severe. The disease can be more dangerous for young children and elderly people.

“If you aren’t improving or concerned, you should seek medical attention, especially if you think you have dengue fever after returning from the islands,” Heather said.

“It’s crucial to educate and warn people travelling back to the islands so they are aware that dengue fever is present, especially since it is seasonal.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/cook-islands-reports-dengue-death-amid-increase-in-outbreak/

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Flames seen in school as smoke rises over Taupō

Source: Radio New Zealand

(File photo) RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Taupō firefighters are responding to a large fire at Taupo Nui-a-Tia Tia College.

Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to the already large fire about 2:10pm on Sunday.

Nearby residents were advised to close their doors and windows.

Photos and videos posted on social media showed an enormous plume of black smoke visible from across the lake.

A deluge of posts to an online community page said they could see flames or smoke coming from the school, on Sunday afternoon, while photos showed a large black plume of smoke rising from the town.

“N block fully ablazed ash is coming down all over Motutahae Street,” one person said.

“A significant amount of the school has already burned down,” another said.

Local MP Louise Upston said in a Facebook post the news was “devastating”.

The school is on Spa Road, at the north east end of the town.

Firefighting crews from the Lake Taupō, Taupo, Kinloch, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Greerton, Tauranga and Kaingaroa stations were responding.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/flames-seen-in-school-as-smoke-rises-over-taupo/

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Who is megastar Bad Bunny and why he sings in Puerto Rican Spanish

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bad Bunny is on a roll. Among the three wins at the 68th Grammy Awards, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I should have taken more pictures) became the first Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year.

On Sunday, Bad Bunny will be the first Latino and Spanish-speaking artist to perform as a solo headliner at the Super Bowl halftime show.

Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and raised in Borinquen (the Taíno-language name for Puerto Rico), Bad Bunny’s life and music have been marked by political, social and economic crises affecting the archipelago: government corruption, failing infrastructure and debt.

Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Bad Bunny waves a Puerto Rican flag as he takes part of a demonstration demanding Governor Ricardo Rossello’s resignation in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 17 July, 2019.

AFP / Eric Rojas

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/who-is-megastar-bad-bunny-and-why-he-sings-in-puerto-rican-spanish/

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Cook Islands reports first dengue death in current outbreak

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aedes aegypti mosquitos spreading the dengue virus between people, people in the Cook Islands, including tourists, have been warned to take precautions. Supplied/ US Centers for Disease Control

The Cook Islands has reported its first dengue-related death of the current outbreak, amid a significant increase in cases, and reminders to tourists to stay safe.

The country’s health ministry said an elderly patient with underlying conditions had arrived to hospital late in the disease’s progression, and died on 2 February.

Authorities have now announced Operation Namu-26 to raise awareness and promote prevention.

Dengue is a virus passed between people by mosquitos, and Operation Namu-26 will include an increase in insecticide spraying work on the affected islands, as well as a nation-wide clean up to reduce places where water could pool and mosquito eggs could be.

The Cook Islands declared a dengue outbreak in May 2025, and more than 500 cases have been recorded there since.

In New Zealand, 86 people had been reported to have contracted dengue, with 75 of those cases connected to travel to the Cook Islands.

There had been “a significant increase in dengue cases on Rarotonga at the end of December 2025, and again at the end of January 2026”, the Cook Islands health ministry said.

Cases had been found on the islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.

Tourist companies would be providing dengue prevention items to visitors, and spraying on their properties following the ministry’s guidelines, it said.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, headache, joint or muscle pain, or rash should “seek urgent medical attention immediately …so that timely care can be provided”.

New Zealand clinician and University of Auckland lecturer Dr Maryann Heather recently told RNZ that one in four people infected with dengue get sick.

Symptoms include headaches, pain behind the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, skin rash, lethargy, tiredness, and high fever, and can be severe. The disease can be more dangerous for young children and elderly people.

“If you aren’t improving or concerned, you should seek medical attention, especially if you think you have dengue fever after returning from the islands,” Heather said.

“It’s crucial to educate and warn people travelling back to the islands so they are aware that dengue fever is present, especially since it is seasonal.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/cook-islands-reports-first-dengue-death-in-current-outbreak/

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Table tennis in film – from Forrest Gump to Marty Supreme

Source: Radio New Zealand

Table tennis and film have a surprisingly entangled history. Both depended on the invention of celluloid – which not only became the substrate of film, but is also used to make ping pong balls.

Following a brief ping pong craze in 1902, the game largely disappeared and was widely assumed to have been a passing fad. More than 20 years later, however, the British socialite, communist spy and filmmaker Ivor Montagu went to great lengths to establish the game as a sport – a story I explore in my current book project on ping pong and the moving image.

He founded the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and codified the rules of the game in both a book and a corresponding short film, Table Tennis Today (1929).

Timothee Chalamet makes it hard not to laugh at Marty Mauser’s wildly offensive claims and believable conviction.

Central Pictures / A24

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/table-tennis-in-film-from-forrest-gump-to-marty-supreme/

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Car fire at Khyber Pass off-ramp jams SH1 in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

A car fire shut down the SH1 Khyber Pass off-ramp in central Auckland, on Sunday 8 February, 2026. RNZ/ Calvin Samuel

A car fire has closed the State Highway 1 Khyber Pass off-ramp in central Auckland.

Just after 2pm on Sunday an RNZ staff member at the scene said the fire appeared to have been put out.

But traffic had backed up, and was crawling from the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway heading toward the city.

Just before 2pm on Sunday the New Zealand Transport Agency published a warning online that the off-ramp was closed due to the car fire. It said drivers should use avoid the area, and use the Symonds Street off-ramp.

A car fire shut down the SH1 Khyber Pass off-ramp in central Auckland, on Sunday 8 February, 2026. RNZ/ Calvin Samuel

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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/2026/02/08/car-fire-at-khyber-pass-off-ramp-jams-sh1-in-auckland/

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‘Rugby’s not done enough’: New Blues CEO on how to fill stadiums again

Source: Radio New Zealand

Karl Budge, Blues CEO Photosport

Fan-centric, fan first – whatever you want to call it, that’s the buzzword around rugby ever since people started rightfully noticing that there were more than a few empty seats at Super Rugby Pacific games. With the season set to start next weekend, new Blues CEO Karl Budge is on a mission to change that. Although he says that simply because Eden Park isn’t packing out like it did in the 90s, it doesn’t mean people aren’t interested.

“The reality is more people watch Super Rugby than any other rugby competition or any other sports competition in New Zealand,” said Budge, pointing to Sky TV’s broadcast figures from last year. They showed overall growth on 2024’s Super Rugby Pacific audience, including a 15 percent increase for the final between the Crusaders and Chiefs.

“That is the cold, hard evidence. That’s not opinion.”

TV audiences are one thing. Eden Park without an All Black test is another.

Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Budge comes into the task of attempting to fill the country’s largest stadium with a fair degree of confidence. For nine years he was the CEO of the ASB Classic, turning it from a tune-up event into one of the most well-regarded tournaments for fan experience on the tennis calendar. His view is, somewhat ironically given the obsession with tinkering with rugby’s rules to deliver a faster game, is that whatever happens on the field shouldn’t be the main focus.

“The ASB Classic went from 16,000 people through the gates when I started to 105,000 in my final year. I don’t think we got any more tennis fans.”

Still, Budge admits that there’s no magic bullet to fill seats during Super Rugby Pacific.

“I certainly don’t have the answers yet. I’ve got a lot of listening and learning to do. I think our job as administrators, particularly with this young wave of people coming through, is to stop putting barriers up and go back to doing what rugby was about bringing communities together. 58 percent of people in Auckland weren’t born here, how do we how do we give this a place for them to see pride in their new home?”

Karl Budge Supplied: SailGP

Then there’s traditional fans, who Budge says will be part of the balancing act of making sure new fans are catered for.

“We don’t want to alienate traditional fans. But what we need to do is do their favourite thing with sprinkles on top.”

The last time the Blues filled Eden Park was when they won the 2024 final against the Chiefs. So while it’s easy to think that success will solve things, it’s worth remembering one other Auckland team that is offering popular game day experiences hasn’t won anything in its entire existence. Still, the Warriors and latterly Auckland FC do not pose a threat, according to Budge.

“We had dinner last night, all three of us (Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker and Warriors CEO Cameron George). We get on great guns…we worked together in a lot of other capacities, a real great amount of respect from each other.

“The more people paying to attend live sport, the better it is for all of us. I do not see that we’re in competition with them.”

Warriors team photo with fans after beating Cowboys, NRL Magic Round. NRL Photos/Photosport

It’s worth noting though that filling Eden Park is a significantly bigger challenge than Mt Smart. Budge points to the fact that fans will find pretty much all the amenities at one that exist at the other, however rugby’s historic position as a cultural monolith makes knocking it the easy discourse in both traditional and social media.

“That’s probably where, as an industry, rugby’s not done enough to endear itself to fans. We’ve had a wonderful product. But I think in 2026, product is not enough. You look at the best sporting occasions around the world, the best of indications are very rarely about the core product.”

Budge says that there’s plenty to be learned outside of sports, too.

“How many people traipse halfway around the world to go to Coachella? It’s the experience, it’s the connection being part of the community, seeing yourself there. All of those things are what make those really special. The artists and the music is almost the bonus.”

“This is the first time I’ve worked in a job where we’ve had too much space. (At the ASB Classic) we were always trying to figure out how you manufacture space. We’ve got plenty of it now and I’m excited by that. I think gives us freedom to dream and look at things differently, there’s no question we need a bigger crowd than other stadiums to create an equal atmosphere.”

“But again, we can hide behind that, or we can go do something about it. We’re a city of 1.9 million people, getting to 30,000 people in a in a stadium shouldn’t be a fantasy.”

Budge’s vision is bold, but with a pragmatic edge.

“I think we have to be really open to failure,” he said.

“And frankly, if we haven’t failed, we probably haven’t gone hard enough.”

Tomorrow: Mark Robinson on the challenges facing engaging fans globally.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/rugbys-not-done-enough-new-blues-ceo-on-how-to-fill-stadiums-again/

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3 Doors Down singer Brad Arnold dies after cancer diagnosis

Source: Radio New Zealand

Brad Arnold, a founder and lead singer of American rock band 3 Doors Down, died on Saturday, nine months after disclosing that he had kidney cancer, the group said. He was 47.

Arnold said in a May 2025 social media video that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage clear cell renal carcinoma that had spread to one of his lungs. 3 Doors Down cancelled their planned 2025 summer tour because of his illness.

3 Doors Down, formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, rose to popularity in 2000 with the Arnold-penned single ‘Kryptonite’, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hits included ‘When I’m Gone’ and ‘Here Without You’, both top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The band has been described as post-grunge, alternative rock and hard rock.

“As a founding member, vocalist and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners,” the band said in a statement posted on its official Instagram account.

Arnold died peacefully surrounded by loved ones including his wife Jennifer, according to the statement. The statement did not state where Arnold died.

“Above all, he was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humor and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him,” the band’s statement said.

“Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith and deep love for his family and friends.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/3-doors-down-singer-brad-arnold-dies-after-cancer-diagnosis/

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Matt Gibb on why nerves are essential to live TV

Source: Radio New Zealand

Matt Gibb has been on New Zealand TV screens for more than 20 years, debuting on the children’s television show Squirt as a teen and currently guiding city dwellers around beautiful rural homes on the property show Find My Country House NZ.

Although the 45-year-old used to struggle with performance anxiety in the past and could go to pieces at auditions, nowadays, he’s learnt how to cope with nervousness and even enjoy the feeling.

“Nervousness gives you that ability to operate at a level that heightens every sense, I think. And you need that in live TV, because anything can happen, you need to be on your toes… If you’re not at least a little bit nervous, then your brain is not going to give you that ability to fire on all cylinders,” Gibb tells Music 101‘s The Mixtape.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/matt-gibb-on-why-nerves-are-essential-to-live-tv/

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Winter Olympics live updates: Kiwis Lyon Farrell, Rocco Jamieson, Dane Menzies in Big Air snowboard final

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dane Menzies soards in the Winter Olympics Big Air snowbaord final. KUNIHIKO MIURA/AFP

First-time Winter Olympian Dane Menzies has slipped off the podium late to finish sixth in the men’s snowboard Big Air final at Milano Cortina 2026.

One of three Kiwis in the 12-man final, Menzies, 20, sat third after the opening two runs, one of the few with consistent performances across both attempts.

The door was still wide open for those behind him to improve their standings and he was surpassed by NZ-born American Ollie Martin. Italian favourite Ian Matteoli and eventual winner Kira Kimura from Japan.

Needing a big jump to retain his medal hopes, Menzies could not control his landing, faceplanting hard into the hard snow.

“Super stoked, but pretty bummed at the same time, just to not land that last one,” he told Sky Sport. “Only up from here, so I’m happy.

“It was awesome. Definitely, everyone was pretty locked in, but it was nice to have [teammates] there to chill.

“So far, super special and realising this is a big deal. Definitely hungry for more and looking forward to the next.”

Kimura had the best jump of the opening round, but crashed on landing on his second. He responded magnificently with his third, recording the best score of the night and finishing with the two best for a comprehensive victory.

Teammate Ryoma Kimata finished second, while defending champion Yiming Su of China took the bronze medal.

American-born Kiwi Lyon Farrell was the best of the NZ contingent through the opening round, but could not replicate that performance across the second and third, finishing eighth, while Rocco Jamieson was one place back.

All three will return to competition on Tuesday, 17 February (NZT) for slopestyle qualifying.

Follow the live action here:

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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/2026/02/08/winter-olympics-live-updates-kiwis-lyon-farrell-rocco-jamieson-dane-menzies-in-big-air-snowboard-final/

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Driver asks insurer: How can a 24-year-old car increase in value by two-and-a-half times in a year?

Source: Radio New Zealand

A woman was shocked to discover that her insurance company had increased the value of her car at renewal. 123RF

A woman who was shocked to discover that her insurance company had increased the value of her car at renewal says it is a reminder to people to check what they are agreeing to.

Nicki, who did not want to use her surname, said she had a 2002 Subaru Impreza and a 2012 Suzuki Alto insured with AA Insurance.

But while they were valued at $4000 and $5500 respectively for insurance last year, when it came time to renew this time, the Subaru was proposed to be worth $10,294 and the Suzuki $9600.

She said the maximum excess she was allowed to have had also dropped “massively”.

“We used to be at $2500 per car but the top is now only $1000. I’m unable to get the Subaru’s agreed value reduced back to what it was 12 months ago because they will only insure now for $4375. Allegedly the company feels it must protect us from underinsuring ourselves.”

She was able to reduce the value of the Suzuki.

A higher excess can reduce the premiums that people pay for cover. Nicki was told in an online chat with the insurer that its pricing team had determined $1000 was the most reasonable and accessible amount for customers.

Turners lists a 2009 Subaru Impreza for $5990. A 2014 Suzuki Alto is listed on Trade Me for $5500 and a 2011 model is $4900.

Nicki told the insurer that it was ridiculous that a 24-year-old car would increase in value by two-and-a-half times in a year.

“We cannot be the only ones they’re trying to raise revenue from in these three ways – sum insured increase, excess reduction, refusal to set sum insured appropriately low.”

A spokesperson for AA Insurance said it had recently updated its excess options to ensure that they were “simple and easy for customers to select”.

“Consistent with common industry practice, we rely on an independent third party data provider to provide vehicle values. From time to time, this provider updates their methodology and data sources to ensure the valuations reflect the most accurate and up to date market conditions.

“When this happens, customers may see changes, either increases or decreases, in their proposed agreed values at renewal. We encourage customers to get in touch if they would like to discuss their proposed value or agree on a different value with us.”

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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/2026/02/08/driver-asks-insurer-how-can-a-24-year-old-car-increase-in-value-by-two-and-a-half-times-in-a-year/

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Cook Islands reports first dengue death, amid increase in outbreak

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aedes aegypti mosquitos spreading the dengue virus between people, people in the Cook Islands, including tourists, have been warned to take precautions. Supplied/ US Centers for Disease Control

The Cook Islands has reported its first dengue-related death, amid a significant increase in cases, and reminders to tourists to stay safe.

The country’s health ministry said an elderly patient with underlying conditions had arrived to hospital late in the disease’s progression, and died on 2 February.

Authorities have now announced Operation Namu-26 to raise awareness and promote prevention.

Dengue is a virus passed between people by mosquitos, and Operation Namu-26 will include an increase in insecticide spraying work on the affected islands, as well as a nation-wide clean up to reduce places where water could pool and mosquitos could breed.

The Cook Islands declared a dengue outbreak in May 2025, and more than 500 cases have been recorded there since.

In New Zealand, 86 people had been reported to have contracted dengue, with 75 of those cases connected to travel to the Cook Islands.

A senior health protection officer told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand had also reported 40 suspected cases of dengue since May, in visitors returning from the Cook Islands.

There had been “a significant increase in dengue cases on Rarotonga at the end of December 2025, and again at the end of January 2026”, the Cook Islands health ministry said.

Cases had been found on the islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.

Tourist companies would be providing dengue prevention items to visitors, and spraying on their properties following the ministry’s guidelines, it said.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, headache, joint or muscle pain, or rash should “seek urgent medical attention immediately …so that timely care can be provided”.

New Zealand clinician and University of Auckland lecturer Dr Maryann Heather recently told RNZ that one in four people infected with dengue get sick.

Symptoms include headaches, pain behind the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, skin rash, lethargy, tiredness, and high fever, and can be severe. The disease can be more dangerous for young children and elderly people.

“If you aren’t improving or concerned, you should seek medical attention, especially if you think you have dengue fever after returning from the islands,” Heather said.

“It’s crucial to educate and warn people travelling back to the islands so they are aware that dengue fever is present, especially since it is seasonal.”

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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/2026/02/08/cook-islands-reports-first-dengue-death-amid-increase-in-outbreak/

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Two common phrases that don’t help when a child is in pain

Source: Radio New Zealand

It happens in slow motion. Your six-year-old daughter is sprinting across the playground at school drop-off time when her toe catches on uneven ground. She goes down hard.

The playground goes silent. She freezes and looks up, straight at you. In that split second, she scans your face for data. Should she be terrified?

I’ve been there. I’d like to tell you that my pain scientist brain kicks in immediately. But honestly, it’s usually my panicked parent brain that gets there first. My stomach drops and my instinct is to gasp or rush in to fix it.

Easing children back into movement after an injury teaches them our bodies are designed to heal.

Jayson Hinrichsen / Unsplash

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/two-common-phrases-that-dont-help-when-a-child-is-in-pain/

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One dead in crash north of Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

(File photo) RNZ/ Marika Khabazi

A person has died at Dairy Flat, north of Auckland, after a motorbike crash.

Emergency services were called to Horseshoe Bush Road about 1:30am on Sunday, police said.

The bike was the only vehicle involved, and the rider died at the scene, they said.

The road was closed after the crash, but had since been reopened.

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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/2026/02/08/one-dead-in-crash-north-of-auckland/

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Wellington SH1 tunnel closures begin

Source: Radio New Zealand

(File photo) RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Wellington’s Terrace Tunnel will be closing for work overnight this week – from the night of Sunday 8 February through to the morning of Friday 13 February.

The Wellington Transport Alliance regularly closes a tunnel on State Highway 1 for routine maintenance.

First up is the Terrace Tunnel, then Mount Victoria Tunnel on the 16 February, and the Arras Tunnel on Buckle Street on 17 February.

In each case they will be closed from 9pm until 5am.

Work typically carried out during the closures includes cleaning, repairs, replacing lights, clearing drains, keeping emergency systems up to date, maintenance for fire detection and fire suppression systems, and maintenance for ventilation and air quality monitoring systems.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/08/wellington-sh1-tunnel-closures-begin/