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Prostitution, underage sex and drugs: Michael Scott Rodger’s criminal history revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Michael Scott Rodger is accused of murdering Richard Leman. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

A man found guilty of murdering a man whose body was dismembered has an extensive criminal history including introducing a 14-year-old girl to prostitution, taking her money and then administering her morphine and having sex with her, it can now be revealed.

On Thursday, Michael Scott Rodger was found guilty of murdering Richard Leman, whose torso was found in the boot of his own car parked at an abandoned house in Rangiora in April 2023.

Leman’s head, legs and arms were still missing.

With the guilty verdict, a suppression order was revoked allowing RNZ to reveal that Rodger previously went by the surname Holdem and has an extensive criminal history which the jury was not informed of.

In 1999, Holdem and his co-accused were jailed in the High Court at Christchurch for eight years after pleading guilty to representative charges of living off the earnings off prostitution, sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 and above the age of 12, and administering morphine.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

Court documents seen by RNZ, state the girl was 14 when she met Holdem and his co-defendant.

Through her involvement with them she began to use morphine which was administered by them. The two men introduced the girl to prostitution as a means of supporting her drug addiction, a court of appeal decision in 2020 said.

The two men took her “considerable earnings from prostitution” and in return she was supplied and administered morphine.

Holdem’s co-defendant appeared to be the “principal force”, behind introducing the girl to prostitution, the court said. However, after he suffered a head injury Holdem took over responsibility for sending her out to work, collecting her earnings and administering the morphine.

“During part of this time the complainant was living with the appellant and had sexual intercourse with him. The appellant also had sexual intercourse with the complainant on at least one previous occasion. This was when they first met. The evidence establishes, and was accepted by the sentencing Judge, that at these times the appellant was aware the complainant was only 14-years-old.”

As a result of the offending the girl developed Hepatitis C, which a doctor described as a “life sentence”.

At the Court of Appeal, Holdem disputed matters of fact including claiming he did not at any stage administer morphine, and said there was no evidence he received money earned by her. He also said he had sexual intercourse with the girl once, and did not know she was 14.

The Court of Appeal said the summary of facts Holdem pleaded guilty to described his activities in administering the morphine and living off her earnings.

The sentencing judge had accepted evidence that Holdem had been overheard by a police officer saying to another person in custody that he was aware of her age and had sexual intercourse with her regardless.

The Court of Appeal dismissed Holdem’s appeal.

Victim feared for her life

In 2009, Holdem was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and conspiring to supply cannabis. The offending related to a police investigation launched after they received information that Holdem’s mother was sending methamphetamine to him in prison.

Between 1 April and 6 May 2009, police intercepted phone communications between Holdem and his mother while he was in prison.

On 14 April 2009, Holdem’s mother posted a parcel to her son which was intercepted by prison staff. The parcel contained three books, one of which contained 1.5 grams of methamphetamine inside several small snaplock bags, hidden in the spine.

During her interview with police, Holdem’s mother said her son had been arranging the sales and importing of drugs into prison for “not very long, six months or under, really only the last few months I would say”.

Then, in 2017, Holdem was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on charges of assault with intent to injure, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of explosives.

Court documents said Holdem had been in an on-off relationship with the victim of the assault for about two years.

“After receiving several threatening text messages from Mr Holdem, which the victim says caused her to fear for her life, the victim barricaded herself inside her home, nailing windows shut and boarding the doors to protect herself from Mr Holdem.”

About 11.45pm, on 3 July 2016 Holdem managed to enter the victim’s home.

“She was hiding under a bed at the time. He found her using a torch he had with him and then punched her several times in the head with a closed fist. After she covered her face with her hands to protect herself Mr Holdem continued to punch the victim in the stomach.

“Before leaving, it is said he told the victim that she better not tell anyone or else he would find her and kill her and that she had better move out of that place real fast. She suffered clear injuries as a result of the assault, including a very swollen and bruised eye.”

The next day police raided Holdem’s home where they found a disassembled .22 rifle as well as 16 sticks of explosive gel, 14 metres of detonation coil and five electronic detonators.

Holdem would later appeal his sentence to the High Court.

The appeal referenced Judge Jane Farish’s sentence in the Christchurch District Court where she noted Holdem’s “troubling recent history of being before that court.”

“At the time of the offending Mr Holdem was subject to release conditions, having earlier in March 2016 been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment on charges of possession of a knife, possession of utensils for the purposes of using methamphetamine and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

“At the time of that offending he was subject to intensive supervision imposed on 16 January 2016 for charges of methamphetamine possession, driving whilst suspended, and weapons charges.”

Judge Farish acknowledged Holdem’s “genuine desire to change” but warned this would only be possible if he addressed his drug abuse problems.

In dismissing Holdem’s appeal, Justice Gendall said the offending involved “nasty and serious violence after a forced break in by the appellant against his former partner”.

“Out of fear of him, the victim had barricaded herself into her home following threats against her by the appellant. It was violence in the nature of serious and intimidating domestic violence and this, in my view, needs to be met with an appropriate and stern response.”

‘I suggest he’s not unlucky, I suggest he’s guilty’

On Thursday, Rodger was found guilty of murdering Leman.

Closing arguments were heard in the High Court at Christchurch on Monday in front of Justice Jonathan Eaton.

The jury heard from Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes for more than two hours, where he explained the case against Rodger was “overwhelming”.

In response, Rodger’s defence lawyer Ethan Huda said there were legitimate questions around the circumstances of Leman’s death.

He explained the Crown had failed to mention, in its closing arguments, evidence from a pathologist who found Leman could have been stabbed before being shot.

“There’s a reasonable doubt about what happened at the crime scene. There’s a reasonable doubt as to what happened around the time of death,” Huda said.

“I suggest…that when you get to [the pathologist’s] evidence during your deliberation, the Crown’s case evaporates into the thin air like candy floss. It’s good to look at, it’s even good to taste from a certain angle, but it’s fluff.

“It’s disrespectful to 12 members of the jury to think you can hide evidence from them. A pathetic attempt at proving its case.”

The Crown argues Rodger shot Leman twice, first in the leg, then a fatal shot to his chest.

Richard Leman. Supplied / NZ Police

Earlier in the trial, pathologist Dr Leslie Anderson said Leman was also stabbed in the back.

The defence said key Crown witnesses Morgan Grant and Sara Plimmer, who were with Leman the night he died, did not reference a stabbing during their respective testimonies.

The defence also outlined a text message exchange between Grant and another person, three days after Leman’s murder, which referenced the involvement of not one, but multiple “fugitives”.

In his closing arguments for the Crown, Hawes told jurors “objective evidence” proved there was only one possible killer.

“I suggest the way to approach the case is to start with what is fixed and independent, the pathology, the CCTV and telecommunications records, and all the forensic work and the linkages back to Mr Rodger,” he said.

“Any other possible explanation you’re looking at bring it back to this core, objective evidence. When you do that, I suggest the evidence clearly converges on one person and one person only and that is Mr. Rodger.”

Hawes said the accused’s claim that another unidentified person was the killer remained implausible.

“Mr. Roger would have you believe he’s unlucky.

“It’s not simply bad luck, that he was at the scene. It certainly was for Richard Leman. It’s not bad luck that both eyewitnesses name him as the perpetrator.

“I suggest he’s not unlucky, I suggest he’s guilty.”

The Crown said no-one gave Leman first-aid or called emergency services and Leman died within minutes.

The jury heard that Rodger threatened to kill Grant and Plimmer, took Leman’s drugs and cash and dragged his body into another room.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/prostitution-underage-sex-and-drugs-michael-scott-rodgers-criminal-history-revealed/

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Commerce Commission warns of suspected Hawke’s Bay pyramid scheme

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf.com

The Commerce Commission is warning consumers about a suspected pyramid scheme operating in Hawke’s Bay under the name “Live Good”.

The commission said the scheme promotes health supplements, but members’ payments appear to rely on continuously recruiting new people rather than selling genuine products or services.

Commission deputy chair Anne Callinan said the scheme – marketed as an “affiliate compensation plan” – carries the hallmarks of a pyramid scheme.

Marketing for the scheme is spread through Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, with new recruits funnelled into groups with names such as The Official Diamond Rush and Freedom Lifestyle Revolution and other New Zealand-based Facebook groups linked to this scheme.

“While the investigation is in its early stages, we believe we have a duty to publicise this potentially illegal scheme so Kiwis are aware of the risk of becoming involved,” Callinan said.

“It is important that any potential harm is limited.”

The commission is urging anyone who encounters the scheme to exercise caution and seek advice before investing into it.

“It is crucial people do their due diligence before becoming involved in schemes of this nature – if something seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is,” Callinan said.

Separate concerns over Wellington-based operation

Separately, the commission has received complaints about a Wellington-based cryptocurrency scheme.

The scheme originates overseas and was initially known as TXEX, but has several other names, including UICEX, CR GLOBAL, Signal Trader, BG Wealth Sharing Group and DSJ EX.

The commission’s interim view was that it was not a pyramid scheme, but it repeated a warning from the Financial Markets Authority in relation to it.

The scheme encourages people to invest in cryptocurrency investment trading platforms, and promises significant returns on investments.

“These schemes entice people by promising high returns quickly and an opportunity to create ongoing wealth, which is typical of these scams,” Callinan said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/commerce-commission-warns-of-suspected-hawkes-bay-pyramid-scheme/

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University of Auckland building on fire

Source: Radio New Zealand

Marika Khabazi

A fire has broken out at a University of Auckland building.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson confirmed there had been a fire at the building on Short Street and several fire trucks were currently responding.

“Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews were notified of a fire in an office at the University of Auckland around 2.40pm today”

“There are currently four trucks and an aerial truck in attendance, with multiple additional crews on their way to assist.”

More to come…

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/university-of-auckland-building-on-fire/

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Prostitution, underage sex and drugs: Michael Scott Rodgers’s criminal history revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Michael Scott Rodger is accused of murdering Richard Leman. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

A man found guilty of murdering a man whose body was dismembered has an extensive criminal history including introducing a 14-year-old girl to prostitution, taking her money and then administering her morphine and having sex with her, it can now be revealed.

On Thursday, Michael Scott Rodger was found guilty of murdering Richard Leman, whose torso was found in the boot of his own car parked at an abandoned house in Rangiora in April 2023.

Leman’s head, legs and arms were still missing.

With the guilty verdict, a suppression order was revoked allowing RNZ to reveal that Rodger previously went by the surname Holdem and has an extensive criminal history which the jury was not informed of.

In 1999, Holdem and his co-accused were jailed in the High Court at Christchurch for eight years after pleading guilty to representative charges of living off the earnings off prostitution, sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 and above the age of 12, and administering morphine.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

Court documents seen by RNZ, state the girl was 14 when she met Holdem and his co-defendant.

Through her involvement with them she began to use morphine which was administered by them. The two men introduced the girl to prostitution as a means of supporting her drug addiction, a court of appeal decision in 2020 said.

The two men took her “considerable earnings from prostitution” and in return she was supplied and administered morphine.

Holdem’s co-defendant appeared to be the “principal force”, behind introducing the girl to prostitution, the court said. However, after he suffered a head injury Holdem took over responsibility for sending her out to work, collecting her earnings and administering the morphine.

“During part of this time the complainant was living with the appellant and had sexual intercourse with him. The appellant also had sexual intercourse with the complainant on at least one previous occasion. This was when they first met. The evidence establishes, and was accepted by the sentencing Judge, that at these times the appellant was aware the complainant was only 14-years-old.”

As a result of the offending the girl developed Hepatitis C, which a doctor described as a “life sentence”.

At the Court of Appeal, Holdem disputed matters of fact including claiming he did not at any stage administer morphine, and said there was no evidence he received money earned by her. He also said he had sexual intercourse with the girl once, and did not know she was 14.

The Court of Appeal said the summary of facts Holdem pleaded guilty to described his activities in administering the morphine and living off her earnings.

The sentencing judge had accepted evidence that Holdem had been overheard by a police officer saying to another person in custody that he was aware of her age and had sexual intercourse with her regardless.

The Court of Appeal dismissed Holdem’s appeal.

Victim feared for her life

In 2009, Holdem was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and conspiring to supply cannabis. The offending related to a police investigation launched after they received information that Holdem’s mother was sending methamphetamine to him in prison.

Between 1 April and 6 May 2009, police intercepted phone communications between Holdem and his mother while he was in prison.

On 14 April 2009, Holdem’s mother posted a parcel to her son which was intercepted by prison staff. The parcel contained three books, one of which contained 1.5 grams of methamphetamine inside several small snaplock bags, hidden in the spine.

During her interview with police, Holdem’s mother said her son had been arranging the sales and importing of drugs into prison for “not very long, six months or under, really only the last few months I would say”.

Then, in 2017, Holdem was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on charges of assault with intent to injure, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of explosives.

Court documents said Holdem had been in an on-off relationship with the victim of the assault for about two years.

“After receiving several threatening text messages from Mr Holdem, which the victim says caused her to fear for her life, the victim barricaded herself inside her home, nailing windows shut and boarding the doors to protect herself from Mr Holdem.”

About 11.45pm, on 3 July 2016 Holdem managed to enter the victim’s home.

“She was hiding under a bed at the time. He found her using a torch he had with him and then punched her several times in the head with a closed fist. After she covered her face with her hands to protect herself Mr Holdem continued to punch the victim in the stomach.

“Before leaving, it is said he told the victim that she better not tell anyone or else he would find her and kill her and that she had better move out of that place real fast. She suffered clear injuries as a result of the assault, including a very swollen and bruised eye.”

The next day police raided Holdem’s home where they found a disassembled .22 rifle as well as 16 sticks of explosive gel, 14 metres of detonation coil and five electronic detonators.

Holdem would later appeal his sentence to the High Court.

The appeal referenced Judge Jane Farish’s sentence in the Christchurch District Court where she noted Holdem’s “troubling recent history of being before that court.”

“At the time of the offending Mr Holdem was subject to release conditions, having earlier in March 2016 been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment on charges of possession of a knife, possession of utensils for the purposes of using methamphetamine and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

“At the time of that offending he was subject to intensive supervision imposed on 16 January 2016 for charges of methamphetamine possession, driving whilst suspended, and weapons charges.”

Judge Farish acknowledged Holdem’s “genuine desire to change” but warned this would only be possible if he addressed his drug abuse problems.

In dismissing Holdem’s appeal, Justice Gendall said the offending involved “nasty and serious violence after a forced break in by the appellant against his former partner”.

“Out of fear of him, the victim had barricaded herself into her home following threats against her by the appellant. It was violence in the nature of serious and intimidating domestic violence and this, in my view, needs to be met with an appropriate and stern response.”

‘I suggest he’s not unlucky, I suggest he’s guilty’

On Thursday, Rodger was found guilty of murdering Leman.

Closing arguments were heard in the High Court at Christchurch on Monday in front of Justice Jonathan Eaton.

The jury heard from Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes for more than two hours, where he explained the case against Rodger was “overwhelming”.

In response, Rodger’s defence lawyer Ethan Huda said there were legitimate questions around the circumstances of Leman’s death.

He explained the Crown had failed to mention, in its closing arguments, evidence from a pathologist who found Leman could have been stabbed before being shot.

“There’s a reasonable doubt about what happened at the crime scene. There’s a reasonable doubt as to what happened around the time of death,” Huda said.

“I suggest…that when you get to [the pathologist’s] evidence during your deliberation, the Crown’s case evaporates into the thin air like candy floss. It’s good to look at, it’s even good to taste from a certain angle, but it’s fluff.

“It’s disrespectful to 12 members of the jury to think you can hide evidence from them. A pathetic attempt at proving its case.”

The Crown argues Rodger shot Leman twice, first in the leg, then a fatal shot to his chest.

Richard Leman. Supplied / NZ Police

Earlier in the trial, pathologist Dr Leslie Anderson said Leman was also stabbed in the back.

The defence said key Crown witnesses Morgan Grant and Sara Plimmer, who were with Leman the night he died, did not reference a stabbing during their respective testimonies.

The defence also outlined a text message exchange between Grant and another person, three days after Leman’s murder, which referenced the involvement of not one, but multiple “fugitives”.

In his closing arguments for the Crown, Hawes told jurors “objective evidence” proved there was only one possible killer.

“I suggest the way to approach the case is to start with what is fixed and independent, the pathology, the CCTV and telecommunications records, and all the forensic work and the linkages back to Mr Rodger,” he said.

“Any other possible explanation you’re looking at bring it back to this core, objective evidence. When you do that, I suggest the evidence clearly converges on one person and one person only and that is Mr. Rodger.”

Hawes said the accused’s claim that another unidentified person was the killer remained implausible.

“Mr. Roger would have you believe he’s unlucky.

“It’s not simply bad luck, that he was at the scene. It certainly was for Richard Leman. It’s not bad luck that both eyewitnesses name him as the perpetrator.

“I suggest he’s not unlucky, I suggest he’s guilty.”

The Crown said no-one gave Leman first-aid or called emergency services and Leman died within minutes.

The jury heard that Rodger threatened to kill Grant and Plimmer, took Leman’s drugs and cash and dragged his body into another room.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/prostitution-underage-sex-and-drugs-michael-scott-rodgerss-criminal-history-revealed/

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Death on road in Auckland’s Mt Albert not suspicious, police say

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police in the Mt Albert street where a body was found. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

A person has died after a suspected medical event on a Mt Albert street.

Police are at the scene and a hearse has arrived to take the body away.

A police spokesperson said the death is not suspicious.

Police and Hato Hone St John on the scene at Mt Albert. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

Emergency services were called to the scene on Linwood Avenue about 12.40pm.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/death-on-road-in-aucklands-mt-albert-not-suspicious-police-say/

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Body found on road in Auckland’s Mt Albert

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police in the Mt Albert street where a body was found. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

A body has been found on a residential road in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert.

Police are at the scene and an RNZ reporter said she can see a body on the roadway.

Police officers have used wheelie bins and a sheet to stop anyone from seeing the body on the ground.

A large black Renault van is parked alongside obscuring the view.

Police and Hato Hone St John on the scene at Mt Albert. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

The van belongs to a transport company and tools and a plywood bench can be seen inside.

Police and St John ambulance have not responded to questions.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/body-found-on-road-in-aucklands-mt-albert/

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DoC’s Kākāpo livestream attracts international attention

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rakiura a female kākāpō is being livestreamed from her nest. SCREENSHOT

A Department of Conservation (DoC) livestream of a nesting Kākāpo on a remote island off the coast of the South Island, has attracted international attention.

Through a hidden camera, viewers can watch Rakiura as she raises her chick, who looks more like a sentient ball of fluff than a bird, at this stage.

In the comments of the YouTube livestream, watchers announce they’re tuning in from places including Argentina, The United States and The Netherlands.

“She’s a star,” one commenter said, “I love to come here and watch Rakiura and her chick for a while every day it is so special,” another wrote.

More than 100 people are tuning in to the livestream at any given time.

The livestream is beamed across the world from a arge cavity beneath a rātā tree on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island.

Twenty-four-year-old Rakiura even laid an egg on the livestream back in January and was now raising her chick for the world to see.

According to DoC, there were only 236 Kākāpo left in the world, and as they were only in Aotearoa, many people would never see one in real life.

A Kākāpo with her chick. (File photo) JAKE OSBORNE

This was the first breeding season for Kākāpo since 2022, it said.

Kākāpō only breed every two to four years and this year’s season could the best yet following a bumper mast, or mass fruiting of rimu berries.

During this breeding season, Rakiura had laid three eggs – but only two of these went on to hatch. One of the chicks was transferred to a foster mum while the second, Nora-A2 2026, is still in the nest with her mum.

DoC said Rakiura had nine living descendants across six breeding seasons and also had many “grandchicks”.

The Kākāpo cam helped scientists learn about nesting behaviour along with letting people around the world watch without disturbing the birds, it said, and helped build support for protecting the species.

On its website, DoC urged people to share the video with friends and family because “the more people who care, the better the future for kākāpō”.

This year’s live stream set up involved four solar panels, 26kg of batteries, 300m of cable, satellite internet, routers, voltage converters and more.

The Kākāpo livestream could be viewed 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/2026/03/12/docs-kakapo-livestream-attracts-international-attention/

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Wellington mayor Andrew Little gets three-year plan over the line

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Wellington ayor Andrew Little has got his three-year plan over the line.

The triennium plan – the first by the council in nearly a decade – was adopted by majority vote on Thursday, 15 votes to three.

Councillors Ray Chung, Tony Randle, and Karl Tiefenbacher voted against.

The plan outlined a range of policy ideas councillors were advocating to get done over the council term, including the future management of Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (a recent addition), the establishment of an office to streamline the building consents process, and increasing transparency around what Little characterised as councillor or staff “cock-ups” in a bid to improve trust in the council.

Little said the “guiding document” followed good and robust discussions and believed it reflected Wellingtonians’ expectations of the council.

He said everything in it was achievable, provided there were no unexpected events over the next three years that could derail them.

Several councillors who took the opportunity to speak ahead of the vote praised the process of creating the document – including those who voted against its adoption.

Little said those comments reflected the “spirit” with which the plan had come together and hoped it would prevail over the next three years as they carried it out.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/wellington-mayor-andrew-little-gets-three-year-plan-over-the-line/

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‘I had to turn my phone off’: Tana Umaga on All Blacks coaching speculation

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fa’alogo Tana Umaga is rumoured to be in the mix to join Dave Rennie’s coaching team at the All Blacks. PHOTOSPORT

The speculation surrounding his All Blacks appointment became so overwhelming, Fa’alogo Tana Umaga had to turn off his phone.

On Wednesday afternoon, rumours spread rapidly that Umaga was set to be announced as an assistant to newly appointed All Blacks coach, Dave Rennie.

However, Umaga insists nothing has been set in stone.

“I don’t really deal in speculation. I’m really honoured and privileged to be involved in the conversation. But it’s just that. I suppose it was my turn this week. I saw there’s a lot of names involved in who Rens is looking for.

“My family are the ones that are letting me know what’s happening and I’m getting a lot of these texts, so I had to turn my phone off.”

The Moana Pasifika head coach was coy about the conjecture, but hinted that he did have interest in the gig.

“There was a bit of interest in terms of having a chat with him [Rennie] from my agent to see if anything comes up, and said ‘you wouldn’t turn that down, would you?’ So we’re just waiting for those things to happen, if it happens, it happens. You always want to set goals for yourself, you want to be part of the best and involved with the best. In my mind, the All Blacks have always been the best.

“Until it’s a done deal and everything’s down on paper. It’s speculation. It’s great to be in that conversation, but it is a bit of a nuisance right now at this stage.”

Umaga, who was coached by a rookie Rennie in 2000 as the Wellington Lions won their first NPC title in 14 years, said Rennie’s appointment was a smart one.

“He doesn’t let much fluster him, he is very precise about what he wants and what he believes in, that looks like a calmness and a steadiness to anything that he becomes a part of. He’s added value everywhere he’s been.

“I think he’s very particular around the way he wants to play and the way he sees the game. I’m a big believer in that myself. I think the game’s awesome – it’s just making sure that the way we deliver it is simple for our players to understand. Nowadays, the players can get overwhelmed. So trying to simplify as much, and I think that’s one of his strengths is that.

“And obviously culturally, he’s very big on connection. And again, that’s what I enjoy too. So those are probably the key things that stand out for me.”

Dave Rennie was named as All Blacks coach earlier this month, following the departure of Scott Robertson. Photosport NZ/Liam K. Swiggs

The former All Black skipper admits it’s been tough to see the All Blacks lose some aura on the world stage.

However, he believes they can rebuild the empire.

“That’s an exciting challenge for Dave and his group that’s coming in. We’re saying that we’re feeling it here because we’ve been knocked off our perch as number one, but we’re not far away. The previous group weren’t far away and now it’s been given to someone else and so they’ve got to try and get us back up to the top.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/i-had-to-turn-my-phone-off-tana-umaga-on-all-blacks-coaching-speculation/

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Blues target bigger crowds in fan battle with Warriors

Source: Radio New Zealand

Caleb Clarke of the Blues is tackled during the round three Super Rugby match between ACT Brumbies and Auckland Blues at GIO Stadium. Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The Blues want a bigger slice of Auckland’s sporting crowd – and the club’s new chief executive believes they can close the gap with the Warriors.

Both the Super Rugby and NRL seasons are underway with the Blues hosting matches at Eden Park and the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

The Warriors typically pull bigger crowds than the Blues. In 2025, the Warriors averaged almost 24,000 people through the gates for home games, with the Blues averaging around 15,000.

Josh Jacomb during the Blues v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park. John Cowpland/Actionpress

Blues chief executive Karl Budge, the former boss of Auckland’s ASB Tennis Classic said the Warriors are on top in the oval ball battle, but the gap is closing.

“I think the Warriors are doing an unbelievably good job,” Budge told RNZ’s Morning Report.

“The entertainment experience at the Warriors games is absolutely brilliant. They’re doing a great job and something we can learn a lot from. The reality for us is we’re only about 20% behind where they are. Our first two games so far this season, we’ve hit 20,000 people through the gates.”

Blues chief executive Karl Budge. Supplied: SailGP

Eden Park has a capacity of about 45,000 with Mt Smart Stadium about 25,000. Budge said the size of the Blues home ground, which is a lot larger than any other Super Rugby stadium in New Zealand, brings unique challenges and opportunities.

“When you 20,000 at Eden Park, it does leave a lot of empty seats in a 45,000 seat stadium. But It’s a privilege to have a stadium the size of Eden Park and we’ve just got to put on a better entertainment experience to make sure that we can get north of that number of 25,000 people through the gate.

“We know we’ve got a long way to go to put on a complete entertainment offering, not just a rugby match.”

So what does a “complete entertainment offering” entail? Budge said it’s about finding the right balance for fans who have different ideas about what they want from a Super Rugby match.

“We’ve got to try and fuse our traditional rugby fan that likes listening to the game and focusing on the 80 minutes, with the new crowd that is very entertainment first,” Budge said.

“The rugby is almost a by-product of the entertainment experience. It’s first and foremost a social gathering and an opportunity to be part of something, a bit of community belonging. Those two things aren’t always perfectly aligned. So we’ve got to be really purposeful around the precincts that we create and try and make sure that the offering is giving everybody an opportunity to enjoy what they’re looking for.”

Budge said he’s seeing some positive results from some early initiatives from the Blues.

“Our kids zone that we partnered with Lego on is going great guns. We’ve almost sold that out for both the first two games.

“The corner, which is more of our entertainment first sort of party zone, that did sell out on Saturday night.”

Budge said was pleasing to see the new offerings starting to get some traction, but he said the Blues still have a “long way to go” to start regularly attracting crowds of 25,000 or more.

He said the cost of living and the current economic climate had to be taken into account and said pricing was something they are constantly reviewing.

“That’s something we’ve got to keep working on and looking at, how do we go and get family packages together that can be more affordable?

“The game this weekend (against Moana Pasifika), we’re playing on Sunday afternoon and kids go free. I think you can get an adult’s ticket for around the $20 to $30 mark, depending on where you want to sit. A beer will cost you $11, which I think is pretty competitive.”

The Blues celebrate with Rieko Ioane during the Blues v Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park, Auckland. Blake Armstrong /ActionPress

However, Budge said it wasn’t just about providing low budget options.

“I also look at what our customers are spending. We’ve done quite a lot of analysis around who our customers are and where they’re spending their money. And there’s a lot of them spending money on things like meal kit delivery services.

“So we know that there’s the ability to have luxury items if the customer sees value.”

Rugby’s rules often draw the ire of fans who bemoan confusing laws and the stop/start nature of some games.

The rules, as well as the Blues on field performances, are things Budge can’t control, but he said that’s no reason to give up chasing bigger crowds.

“Some of it is outside your control, but some of it is also about not hiding behind excuses and I think one of the benchmarks of the ASB Classic during that tenure was we didn’t let excuses mean we didn’t do our job.”

The Blues host cross town rivals Moana Pasifika at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.

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Mariameno Kapa-Kingi unsure if future lies with Te Pāti Māori or as independent

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says she is still waiting to learn what her reinstatement to Te Pāti Māori will look like in practice, and there are still questions over whether the party can be trusted by her rohe.

On Tuesday, Kapa-Kingi was officially reinstated to Te Pāti Māori after the High Court ruled her suspension and subsequent expulsion was unlawful.

Speaking to media for the first time since her reinstatement, Kapa-Kingi said the court’s decision was an important first step, but it would not heal the hurt carried by her people.

“This moment is not about personal vindication, it is about mokopuna. Mokopuna in the sense that every decision I make is measured by whether our mokopuna will inherit a better situation than the one we have today.”

Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris, who was also expelled but haD not been reinstated, said Te Pāti Māori had a “huge job” to repair its reputational damage.

Kapa-Kingi said her legal challenge was to ensure the voices of the people who elected her were shown respect.

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“Te Pāti Māori’s kawa exists for a reason. They ensure respect for the authority and mana motuhake of our individual electorates – that respect was not afforded to the thousands of whānau in Te Tai Tokerau who entrusted me with the responsibility to represent them.

“The question remains whether Te Pāti Māori can be trusted by my rohe, while no changes have been made in the capability of the party beyond this term is debated amongst te iwi Māori,” she said.

Kapa-Kingi said there was no evidence she had misused funds or brought the party into disrepute.

“Utu pursued with ill intent can only attach where ill intent exists.”

She was determined to stand again in Te Tai Tokerau, and said running as an independent was possible despite her reinstatement.

“There is a world that has that potential possibility in it, yes.”

Asked whether she had rejoined the party, she said she was “in the early stages of what the detail of that actually looks like”.

Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris also attended the press conference. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

In his judgement, Justice Paul Radich said the process had breached the party’s “kawa” – rules, requirements and protocols.

“To convene a meeting which would play a fundamental part in determining Kapa-Kingi’s future with the pāti without involving her, without giving any indication that a resolution to suspend her was on the table, without allowing her an opportunity for a substantive response, and in the absence of the members of her electorate council, could not on any view be seen, for example, as elevating and enhancing relationships, as working together with respect, as promoting whanaungatanga, as working for unity, as developing an environment that nourishes wairua or that reflects the attributes of rangatira,” Radich wrote.

Kapa-Kingi had also sought to challenge the re-appointment of John Tamihere as the party’s president, but Justice Radich did not uphold that, saying there was “no invalidity” in the process of Tamihere’s re-election.

She said she had received contact to “get together” with Tamihere and have a discussion, but she had not had a chance as she was focused on nephew Peeni Henare’s valedictory.

After Justice Radich had released his decision, Kapa-Kingi posted on social media that he had “brought justice” to Te Tai Tokerau voters.

“Pursuing a legal pathway in the courts was never my first choice. My intention in bringing this case throughout was not to incite division, but seek clarity and ensure that the processes we hold ourselves to – particularly those grounded in tikanga, are honoured,” she wrote.

Following Kapa-Kingi’s reinstatement, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the party was looking forward to “repatriating” Kapa-Kingi back in.

Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris, who was also expelled from Te Pāti Māori, has not been reinstated as he did not challenge the party’s decision. He will remain an independent MP for the rest of the term, and intends to stand again in the seat as an independent.

Speaking after Kapa-Kingi, Ferris said the court had “put the truth out there” and iwi Māori would be waiting to see how the party responded.

“The truth is on display for everyone to see. The kaupapa of Te Pāti Māori is a people movement, and it’s here to ensure that the Māori view and Māori rights are looked after and respected well in this House, and that’s the thing that draws me to here.”

Ferris did not see a need to pursue legal action, as Te Tai Tonga was happy with what he had done and supported him.

“Te Tai Tonga invited Te Pāti Māori to a hui, it wasn’t taken up, so the kaumatua of Te Tai Tonga are clear about how Te Tai Tonga will move.”

He said trust and confidence had been “eroded” and the party’s reputational damage had been “sustained, and it is going to be a huge job to rebuild it.”

Ferris believed Tamihere had too much control over the party, however, and suggested more distribution of power across a broader base of rohe representation.

Asked whether he wanted to be back in the party, Ferris said the ball was “firmly in the court” of Te Pāti Māori, and nobody wanted to be stuck in a to-and-fro forever.

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The government’s targets in charts: Employment target remains elusive

Source: Radio New Zealand

Four of the government’s nine key targets risk not being met, the latest update shows.

People receiving Jobseeker benefits have increased significantly to 223,500 and education targets remain elusive.

A target to reduce the number of households in emergency accommodation has been met well ahead of schedule, as has a goal to reduce the number of victims of assault or robbery.

RNZ is tracking progress towards each of the government’s nine targets, which were announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in April 2024. The targets were chosen to focus the public sector on priorities, and progress is updated each quarter.

Employment and education goals – in reading, writing and mathematics – are classified as “at risk” of not being met. Two health targets are considered “feasible”: still possible, but behind schedule and facing “major risks and/or issues”.

Targets considered “on track” include reducing the number of households in emergency housing, cutting crime and youth offending, and meeting near-term greenhouse gas emission targets. Officials also say lifting school attendance is “probable”.

Each responsible agency assigns a status to progress, ranging from “on track” to “unachievable”. Progress toward reaching a target can still be classed as “feasible”, even if there are major risks or issues in meeting it, as long as the agency in charge believes these can be resolved.

The nine targets are set to be delivered by 2030, beyond the current political term.

Health

Achieving the goal for 95 percent of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department within six hours remains far adrift.

The latest update shows 68.9 percent of patients are seen within that timeframe – a drop from 73.9 percent in the last quarter, and only 0.9 percent better than the September 2023 baseline figure of 68 percent.

The government’s update notes that the drop is in line with winter patterns from previous years.

When setting this target, officials warned there was a risk it would not be achievable in the short term.

“Most ED [emergency departments] nationwide are over capacity most of the time,” a briefing to ministers read.

It said wait times were affected by resourcing, community services, bed availability and seasonal changes, such as increased demand during flu season.

Attempting to reduce wait times would require significant system-wide change in hospitals, primary care and aged care, the briefing said.

“There would be a risk the target is achieved by focusing resources intensively in ED at the expense of other areas of the health system. This may result in improved ED wait times in the short term, but – through reduction in the quality of care elsewhere – would likely result in worse health outcomes and ultimately higher ED presentations in the medium to long term.”

This update noted there was a $20 million boost to emergency departments to increase frontline staffing as well as $164m over four years for new and improved urgent and after-hours care.

Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department was being updated and 140 new inpatient wards have been fast-tracked across Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Middlemore, Wellington Regional and Waikato hospitals.

Reaching the 95 percent goal by 2030 is considered feasible, meaning there are major risks to achievement.

The second health target for 95 percent of people to receive elective treatment within four months is a long way away from being achieved, although tracking in the right direction.

At the moment 65.9 percent of people needing elective treatments, such as hip or cataract surgeries, are seen within four months. This is higher than the 63.9 percent reported in the last quarter. This is the best result since September 2021.

The private sector is being used to tackle the waitlist, with 18 percent of treatments in the 2025/2026 year planned to be delivered by private providers. The latest report says 21,000 procedures will be funded through an Elective Boost programme.

The latest update says that at the end of June 2025 there were no patients waiting longer than two years that didn’t have a plan in place.

Delivery of this target is considered feasible, indicating there are still major risks.

Crime

The number of serious and persistent youth offenders has decreased to 856 and has now reached the target of 900 or fewer well ahead of 2030.

For a youth offender to be classed as a serious or persistent offender they must have committed three or more offences in the past 12 months, with at least one of them having a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment or more.

Bootcamps, improving response teams and locally-led initiatives and increased school attendance are listed as areas the government is focused on to reach the target.

The latest update also said the second reading of the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill, is due to occur and this will strengthen the Government’s response to youth offenders.

The goal to reduce crime is classed as on track and has been reached ahead of the 2030 deadline, falling to 135,797, an improvement on the target of 165,000.

This target was kept as one of the nine government targets, despite officials suggesting it would be difficult to achieve and should be replaced with something easier to reach.

The goal is based on data from the New Zealand Crime and Victims’ Survey. Officials warned the survey data had a high margin of error and was more suitable for showing long-term trends.

The survey asks respondents about their experience of reported and unreported crime over the past 12 months. The latest figures represent the survey’s annual results. Quarterly data is potentially more volatile and may fluctuate.

Initiatives to reach the target include the Three Strikes sentencing reform, gang harm legislation, improving security at targeted locations and breaking the cycle of violence with expanded drug and alcohol interventions for in remand custody.

Employment

The number of people receiving Jobseeker support has risen by 5700 to 223,500 since the September report. This target remains classified as “at risk”. It is 83,500 away from the overall goal of 140,000 or fewer people receiving support by 2030.

The government’s update suggested the flow of people receiving the Jobseeker benefit will decrease as economic conditions improve. Measures to reduce the number of people on Jobseeker benefit include community job coaches, and placing 4000 Jobseeker Support Health Condition or Disability clients with case management with a view to a graduated return to work.

A test for Jobseeker eligibility for 18 and 19-year-olds was announced in October, which will mean applicants whose parents have a combined income above $65,529 will be ineligible for the benefit. It’s estimated 4300 young people will be affected by this.

Education

At 50.3 percent, Term 2’s attendance rate is well below the target of 80 percent of students present for more than 90 percent of the term. This means students should take no more than five days off a term.

Absence is classed as either “justified” or “unjustified”. Justified absences include illnesses, and other reasons which fall under school policy, such as suspensions. Unjustified absences include truancy, or taking holidays in term time. The government target of 80 percent makes no distinction between the two.

Attendance management plans have been implemented from 2026, these are now mandatory. They include attendance targets for schools, and a process to identify and manage absences.

Since 2011, the highest percentage of students attending 90 percent of a school term was 72.8 percent, in Term 1 of 2019. The average over that time was 59.4 percent.

Reaching this target is deemed “probable”.

Currently 47 percent of students are at the expected level in reading, 24 percent in writing and 23 percent in mathematics. It remains unchanged from previous reports due to the current reporting cycle. New twice-yearly assessments will commence in Term 2, along with a new tool to monitor and assess students.

A structured literacy programme has been rolled out, along with a refreshed curriculum. Mathematics and writing action plans have been launched to raise achievement.

This target is considered to be “at risk” of not being met.

Housing

Driving down the number of households in emergency housing is one target where progress leapt ahead of estimates.

From a baseline of 3141 households, the goal was to reduce the number by 75 percent, to 800 or fewer.

The current number is 444, well below the 800 which was the 2030 goal. Although it is three higher than the September update.

Part of the plan to reach the target includes improving access to other forms of housing for emergency housing residents. As of December, 1095 households (with 2340 children), have been housed in a social housing tenancy.

This is an increase of 11 households and 12 children since September’s report.

Climate

Ministry for the Environment / MfE projections corrected in January 2026

There are two targets New Zealand has committed to meeting as part of its net zero climate change goal.

The first target is for total greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2025 to be below 290 megatonnes. The second target is for total emissions to be less than 305 megatonnes.

This latest government report says this target is on track, with a smaller buffer than previously reported due to a data error.

A decision on whether savings made in the first budget period being counted toward hitting the 2026 to 2030 period will be decided in 2028.

Among the work listed to ensure the target is reached was the announcement by the end of March of loans to expand electric vehicle charging stations. However, the government is considering scrapping the clean car standard.

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Ban on harvesting marine life from rockpools goes into force

Source: Radio New Zealand

[xh ]Ban on harvesting marine life from rockpools comes into force

People harvesting sea life at Army Bay. Protect Whangaparoa Rockpools

A ban on taking marine life from rockpools and coastal waters in part of north Auckland comes into force today.

The decision came after local iwi, the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, applied for the two-year ban along the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay. The application was granted by Fisheries Minister, Shane Jones, in February.

It is now illegal for anyone to take seaweed, shellfish, or other rockpool sea life, including sponges, starfish, sea anemones, and sea cucumbers, from those areas.

In a statement, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said that anyone who broke the rules could be fined between $5000 and $100,000. Items used in the offending could also be seized, including vehicles for more serious offences.

“Fishery Officers will be at key locations to provide information to members of the public about the closure,” he said.

Minister Jones said Ngāti Manuhiri would also place a traditional rāhui over the closed areas and the same species.

The new rules are available on the free NZ Fishing Rules App and the Ministry for Primary Industry’s website.

Kina (sea urchin) are excluded from the closure and can still be taken within the current recreational fishing limits. Restrictions on taking spiny rock lobster and scallops have already been in place.

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Whangārei man charged after woman shot in foot

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

A Whangārei man has appeared in court on Thursday for allegedly shooting a woman in the foot.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of the Whangārei CIB, said the woman needed surgery for a serious injury after the incident at a Morningside property on 3 March.

He said the alleged shooting was reported the following day, leading officers to search a car and seize the gun.

A week-long search for the suspect paid off on Wednesday afternoon when a 30-year-old man was arrested at a Raumanga address.

Pilmer said he had been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and driving while disqualified.

“It’s a great outcome for the community that the man is now in custody and the firearm is also out of circulation,” he said.

A second man, aged 35, was also before the courts for allegedly possessing a firearm and being an accessory after the fact.

Pilmer described the shooting as “an isolated incident”.

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The Blues halfback who thought his career was over at 20

Source: Radio New Zealand

Funaki performing a Randy Orton style celebration after scoring a try. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Taufa Funaki’s rugby career was almost over before it started.

Six years ago, when he was a highly-touted young halfback on the cusp of his first Super Rugby season, Funaki suffered a concussion so severe he believed it would force him from the game.

“I had a pretty bad head-knock a few years ago [2020]. It took me a long time to get back and for a while I didn’t think I was returning to rugby, but I was pretty lucky with the support I got.”

The electric halfback said he battled serious symptoms which left him unable to do basic tasks.

“They were big headaches that got to a point where I had to learn how to read and write, it got that deep. I couldn’t be in, or see light and stuff. It just really irritated me. I think overall it took about five, six months for me to get back to training. So yeah, it just showed me how important it was for me to be grateful for what I had, because just like that, it felt like everything was gone.”

Funaki just 20-years-old and not long out of Sacred Hart College when he got concussed in an NPC game for Auckland.

Funaki was co-captain of the Sacred Hart First XV. Photosport

“Being that young, I had just debuted for Auckland, done a pre-season for the Blues, so there’s that big mental doubt because I’d never faced anything that big before, adversity in terms of my career,” he said.

“I think I grew a lot out of it. It matured me quite early and I now want to make the most of this opportunity I have to be a rugby player. There was that mental battle, but I think if anything, it made me stronger.”

However, Funaki said he is fully fit and no longer impacted.

“There’s no worrying getting into a game. I’m back and I’m ready to go.”

Funaki has long been locked in a three way fight for the Blues number nine jersey since his debut in 2021.

He has often sat on the bench as backup to Sam Nock or Finlay Christie.

Despite the competition, Finaki said the trio share a close bond.

“We’ve got a really tight group of nines. Offering advice, always finding ways to help me out, especially in my early years. We’re just there for each other whether or not we’re playing.”

Funaki has again been named on the bench for the Blues home clash against newest rivals Moana Pasifika on Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve obviously got a lot of friends in there that we’ve come up with through the grades. We know that they’re big boys and we have got to front up or they’ll punch you right in the face. They’re no easy task.”

Funaki scores a try against the Highlanders. Photosport

Funaki admitted there was a unique rivalry with Moana, being the only sides that share a region in Super.

“I see some funny stuff over the media and all that, but yeah, I guess so. It’s a little bit of a rivalry.”

A proud Blues man, Funaki never envisioned himself playing for any other franchise.

“I grew up here in Auckland. So Blues and Auckland rugby player through and through. I grew up watching the likes of Joe Rocks (Rokocoko) George Moala , all guys like that who’ve just been Blues men. I found my spot here and this is something that really means a lot to me.”

However, there is interest from overseas to secure his signature.

“There has been a bit of interest elsewhere. If it was an ideal situation, I’d be in the Blues forever. But obviously other things come up and as you get older, I feel like as I’m growing up a bit, there’s a few other decisions that need to be made as well and other things taken into account. But, right now I’m a Blues player and I hold a tonne of pride putting this jersey on.”

Funaki is eligible to represent both New Zealand and Tonga. Photosport

Of Pasifika heritage, Funaki will be eligible to represent both New Zealand and Tonga.

“If it came to it. The possibility of playing for Tonga is definitely there for me. I’d be just as proud of being there and representing my family and heritage. But yeah, whether it’s a black jersey, a red jersey or a blue one, I just want to do the jersey justice wherever I get the opportunity.”

Funaki has endeared himself to fans through his love of pro wrestling, even performing a Randy Orton style celebration after scoring a try.

“I found a lot of fun in that growing up and I think now a few of us in the team, we sort of play around with that stuff, it taps into us being kids again. I managed to pull out that Randy Orton a couple years ago, but that’s just me being like the kid again, just doing rugby at its purest form and me just expressing myself.”

So, does he have more wrestling inspired celebrations up his sleeve?

“We’ll see. I just need to get over that white line first and we’ll see what comes out.”

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Michael Scott Rodger found guilty of murdering and dismembering Canterbury father Richard Leman

Source: Radio New Zealand

Michael Scott Rodger. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

A 46-year-old man accused of murdering and dismembering a Canterbury father of three has been found guilty.

Michael Scott Rodger has been on trial for four weeks in the High Court at Christchurch for the murder of Richard Leman in April 2023.

Leman was missing for almost a week before his torso was found in the boot of his own car at an abandoned house in Rangiora.

The jury delivered its unanimous verdict to the High Court Thursday afternoon after retiring for deliberations on Tuesday.

More to come…

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Cricket Players Association boss Heath Mills to step down after 25 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

Heath Mills speaking to media at a press conference. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills is stepping down after more than two decades in the role.

The NZCPA said Mills had played a huge role in shaping the modern landscape for professional cricketers in New Zealand and internationally, as well as being a strong advocate for the growth and professionalisation of the women’s game.

Mills, who has led the NZCPA since 2001, will remain in the job until June.

He said the decision to step down had been a difficult one, but that the time felt right for both himself and the organisation.

“The NZCPA has been a huge part of my life for more than 25 years, and the experiences, opportunities, challenges and relationships along the way have shaped me profoundly,” Mills said.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate that the game’s best players have trusted me to serve them in this role. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has allowed me to represent and support them, and I hope I’ve been able to contribute in a way that justifies that trust.”

A bid by a consortium of high profile cricket figures, pulled together by Mills, to launch a T20 competition became a flashpoint late last year.

It culminated in the resignation of NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink days before Christmas.

The NZCPA and all six Major Associations strongly supported the bid, which is still being considered, while Weenink was accused of undermining the proposal in favour of alternative options.

Former NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink. © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz

Mills will continue to work closely within the global cricket landscape through his position as Executive Chairman of the World Cricketers’ Association.

He will also remain involved with the NZCPA in a project management capacity over the next 18 months, helping oversee negotiations for the next Master Agreement with New Zealand Cricket and the six Major Associations.

NZCPA chairperson Ross Verry paid tribute to Mills’ leadership and influence on the organisation and the wider game.

“Heath has been one of the most knowledgeable, progressive and influential leaders in New Zealand sport over the past two decades, and his impact has been felt across the global game,” Verry said.

“More importantly, he has always been absolutely committed to the members of the NZCPA. Heath has consistently had the players’ backs – past and present – and has represented them with loyalty, integrity and a deep sense of purpose.”

Verry said Mills had led significant innovation within the players’ association movement while navigating a constantly evolving cricket landscape.

“Under Heath’s leadership the NZCPA has become an organisation that players around the world look to as a benchmark. Initiatives like the Personal Development Programme, the Retirement Fund, the Cricketers’ Hardship Trust and the Cricket Players’ Property Trust have created opportunities and security for players long after their playing careers end.

“He has also been a passionate supporter of the women’s game and played a key role in the progress that has enabled more women to pursue cricket as a profession in New Zealand.”

The NZCPA board would begin a process to appoint Mills’ successor in the coming weeks.

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Renewable energy generation hits new high, gas at 46-year low

Source: Radio New Zealand

Abundant rainfall at hydro lakes has led to record levels of renewable energy generation. RNZ/Carol Stiles

Abundant rainfall at the country’s hydro lakes has led to record levels of renewable energy generation.

The quarterly energy report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), showed a record-high 96.4 percent of electricity generation coming from renewable sources from October to December 2025.

“Hydro inflows were strong, which supported an 8 percent increase in hydro generation compared with the same quarter in 2024,” MBIE domains manager Amapola Generosa said.

“We also saw continued growth from new grid‑scale solar farms connecting, which lifted solar generation by more than 70 percent year‑on‑year.”

Natural gas generation fell to its lowest quarterly level since 1980, with output down 52 percent from a year earlier.

“Contributing to this was planned maintenance at gas generation plants during the quarter,” Generosa said.

MBIE said emissions from electricity generation fell to their lowest quarterly level since records began in 1990. Electricity demand also increased in the period.

“National consumption rose 6.5 percent to 10,045 GWh, with agricultural demand rising 14.2 percent due to irrigation loads,” Generosa said.

“Industrial consumption increased 12.2 percent, in part due to comparatively low usage in the December 2024 quarter.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/12/renewable-energy-generation-hits-new-high-gas-at-46-year-low/

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Heinz Wattie’s restructure will have ripple effect, Employers and Manufacturers Association says

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

A Wattie’s factory employee facing redundancy fears for her and her colleagues’ futures, saying it has been decades since some of them have had to interview for a job.

And the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) believes there will be a ripple effect right across the country if Heinz Wattie’s goes ahead with its major shake-up.

The company wants to shut its plants in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin and stop the production of a number of products, including frozen vegetables.

Kathy Perrin, a forklift driver and E tū union delegate in Christchurch, told Midday Report they were expecting a few redundancies, but not the closure of the entire plant.

“We could see we were a bit heavy on the staff, how many members we had, staff members we had, not just junior members. We could see we were a bit top-heavy and we thought there’d be redundancy, not a plant closure. This is just – it’s traumatising.”

She said many staff had young families and mortgages, while others expected to work for Wattie’s until they reached retirement.

“Even members that are 45, I was talking to one last night and he was saying that, you know, ‘I’d settled in and I was feeling that this was [my job] until I was retirement age.’”

Another said their last job interview was in 1979.

“Everybody needs to come together – the government, the union and the company all need to get together and go, ‘Okay, what assistance are you going to need after the doors are closed?’ … if it’s help with rents, accommodation, mortgages for young families, those things, all those needs… we leave nobody behind, because we can’t be left behind.”

She blamed the proposed closures on the company’s offshore owners, and said they were now facing a future of minimum-wage work.

“The union have been great, they are helping us, they are being fantastic. And local management are being fantastic. This doesn’t come from Christchurch, this doesn’t come from within New Zealand. This is done outside of it.”

Employers and Manufacturers Association head of advocacy Alan McDonald. RNZ / Dan Cook

‘People will probably miss it’

EMA head of advocacy Alan McDonald was surprised by the news.

“The growers, they’ve got pretty extensive distribution networks, so they will be impacted in some way or form and that’ll ripple out through those communities as well.

“And it’s been a long-standing brand in New Zealand, so people will probably miss it.”

McDonald said the news would be soul-destroying for some whānau.

“In some of those manufacturing businesses and things like the meatworks and stuff and dairy factories, you get multi-generational people working in those areas and those businesses, so it’s pretty tough on a lot of families.”

McDonald said he hoped that some of the 350 staff at risk could be redeployed into the company to lessen the impact, especially on regional communities.

Heinz Wattie’s said further redeployment opportunities would be investigated throughout the course of the year in line with the phased site closures.

It said it would continue to invest in operations, marketing and research and development, to strengthen its resilience and secure long-term growth.

Redundancy packages, career transition and outplacement services, counselling and wellbeing support would be offered to employees.

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

Concerns over NZ’s food security

A group representing commercial vegetable growers said food security could become a problem if Heinz Wattie’s goes ahead with a proposal to shut down three factories.

Process Vegetables chair David Hadfield told Morning Report the ripple effect of the closure would hit about 220 Canterbury farmers who produced around 36,000 tonnes of peas every year for the company.

“New Zealand has one of the highest yielding areas for peas and it’s an excellent product. But the problem is, New Zealanders aren’t eating enough vegetables.”

Hadfield said while shocked by the proposal, he was not surprised. He said local production costs were high and it was cheaper to import products.

He warned, however, that if food was not grown locally the country was more vulnerable to things like disrupted shipping routes, such as is happening at the moment because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Hadfield said red tape was also partly to blame for the potential closures, and felt regulations in recent years had become burdensome.

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon. Supplied/ Facebook

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon wanted clarity on how Canterbury growers would be affected by the proposal. She said the news came as a surprise and she had more questions than answers.

She said it was unclear whether local growers would lose their contracts entirely.

Gliddon said it did not make financial sense to ship produce to the remaining factory in Hastings for processing.

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Posted on

Joe Rogan keeps highlighting Trump’s biggest liabilities

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Aaron Blake, CNN

Podcaster Joe Rogan Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports / Reuters via CNN Newsource

Analysis – If there’s one figure who epitomized President Donald Trump’s ability to cobble together a winning coalition in 2024, it might have been Joe Rogan – the influential podcaster who made big news by endorsing Trump on the eve of the election after interviewing him.

(On the flipside, much ink has been spilled about the Kamala Harris campaign not booking a date with Rogan’s podcast and the detrimental effect that might have had on her bid to become president.)

Sixteen months later, Rogan epitomizes Trump’s problems in holding that coalition together.

Rogan has broken with Trump on several major issues since mid-2025. And polling shows the issues he’s picked happen to be some of Trump’s biggest political liabilities – including the war with Iran, the Jeffrey Epstein files and immigration enforcement.

Iran

The big, new one is the war with Iran. Rogan said Tuesday that Trump’s ongoing assault on the country broke his promises to his voters.

“But it just seems so insane based on what he ran on,” Rogan said. “I mean, this is why a lot of people feel betrayed, right? He ran on no more wars and these stupid senseless wars, and then we have one that we can’t even really clearly define why we did it.”

Rogan had also been skeptical of Trump’s plans to target Venezuela before the ouster of Nicolas Maduro back in January. But he said that operation was at least “clean.” The military engagement to bring in Maduro lasted only a few hours, as opposed to the war with Iran, which is nearly two weeks old with no clear end in sight.

“It just doesn’t make any sense to me – unless we’re acting on someone else’s interests, like particularly Israel’s interests,” Rogan added. “It just didn’t make any sense to me.”

Nearly every poll shows the war with Iran is unpopular, with a majority opposing it and independents opposing it around 2-to-1. In fact, it might be the most unpopular new military conflict in a very long time.

Epstein

Rogan has for months expressed incredulity about the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files.

Similar to Iran, he’s cast it as a betrayal of Trump’s supporters, even suggesting that their belief Trump would make Epstein materials public if he won the election was a part of why they backed him.

“There’s a lot of stuff about, you know, when we thought Trump was going to come in and a lot of things are going to be resolved. We’re going to drain the swamp. We’re going to figure everything out,” Rogan said in July. “And when you have this one hardcore line in the sand that everybody’s been talking about forever, and then they’re trying to gaslight you on that?”

Last month, he called the FBI’s claim that there is no evidence Epstein had clients “the gaslightiest gaslighting sh*t I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Two days later, on February 12, he took aim at the Justice Department’s strange and inconsistent redactions practices.

“Like, what is this? This is not good. None of this is good for this administration,” Rogan said. “It looks f**king terrible. It looks terrible.”

Jeffrey Epstein pictured with Donald Trump. Getty / Davidoff Studios Photography

Rogan criticized Trump in particular for referring to the matter as a “hoax,” and even entertained the idea that Trump knew what Epstein had been doing.

“It looks terrible for Trump when he was saying that none of this was real, this is all a hoax. This is not a hoax,” Rogan added. “Like, did you not know? Maybe he didn’t know, if you want to be charitable. But this is definitely not a hoax.”

A January CNN poll found just 6% of Americans said they were satisfied with what the federal government had released of the Epstein files to that point.

A more recent Reuters-Ipsos poll from last month showed 65% of Americans said the federal government was “probably” or “definitely” hiding information about Epstein’s death, which was ruled a suicide, and 75% said it was “probably” or “definitely” hiding information about his supposed clients.

Immigration

Rogan has also amassed a growing volume of comments critical of Trump’s immigration crackdown.

It really kicked off in April, when he called the Trump administration’s sending undocumented migrants to a brutal El Salvador prison “horrific.”

By July, he called the administration’s targeting of immigrants without criminal records “insane.”

“Not cartel members, not gang members, not drug dealers, just construction workers showing up in construction sites and raiding them,” Rogan said. “Gardeners. Like, really?”

Later that month, Rogan decried how US citizens were getting caught up in the raids, and how Trump was trying to deport pro-Palestinian activists with legal status.

“A bunch of people that are totally innocent are going to get caught up. They already have been,” Rogan said. “You know, they have been.”

In mid-October, he said people were right to be concerned about out-of-control border-crossings in recent years. But he added that, “The military in the street, I think, is a dangerous precedent.”

He also criticized the administration for “ripping parents out of their communities,” adding: “I did not ever anticipate seeing that on TV on a regular basis.”

“I really thought they were just going to go after the criminals,” he said.

Rogan has called the administration’s targeting of immigrants without criminal records “insane”. OCTAVIO JONES / AFP

Rogan went on to criticize the administration for the killings of both Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January.

“It just seemed all kinds of wrong to me,” he said of Good’s death, adding that it “just looked horrific to me.”

And he even invoked the Gestapo, the secret police in Nazi Germany.

“And then I can also see the point of view of the people who say, ‘Yeah, but you don’t want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be US citizens,’” he said. “They just don’t have their papers on them. Are we really going to be the Gestapo? ‘Where’s your papers?’ Is that what we’ve come to?”

Trump’s approval numbers on immigration have gone from about 10 points positive a year ago to about 10 points negative today – in large part because the American people also see his administration’s enforcement operations going too far.

The killings of Good and Pretti, in particular, have resulted in the administration signaling a change of course in an election year.

Tariffs

This has been one of Trump’s most unpopular issues for a long time. And while Rogan hasn’t spoken about it as much or as forcefully, he has called Trump’s strategy into question.

When Trump launched his tariffs against Canada a year ago, Rogan called the move “stupid.”

“We got to become friends with Canada again. This is so ridiculous,” Rogan said. “I can’t believe there is anti-American, anti-Canadian sentiment going on. It’s the dumbest f**king feud.”

He added the next month: “I’m scared of this tariff stuff because it’s radical change.”

Tariffs have been one of Trump’s most unpopular issues for a long time Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

Uncharacteristically, Trump hasn’t hit back at Rogan.

Asked about Rogan’s criticisms last month by NBC News, Trump said they had spoken recently.

“I think he’s a great guy, and I think he likes me, too,” Trump said.

He added: “And, you know, liking me isn’t important. What happens is that – I think we do a phenomenal job, but I don’t think we’re good at public relations.”

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