Category: Public Media

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New Zealand’s Corey Peters 5th in men’s downhill sitting at Paralympic Winter Games

Source: Radio New Zealand

Corey Peters was the defending champion from the Beijing Games four years ago. PHOTOSPORT

Four-time Paralympic medalist Corey Peters has finished out of the medals in the men’s downhill sitting in his first Winter Paralympic Games event at Milano Cortina.

The 42-year-old Kiwi was unable to defend the title he won in Beijing in 2022.

Peters made a couple of costly errors but twice managed to make a miraculous recovery to stay upright and record a time of 1:20.89.

“I feel disappointed. We work pretty hard over a number of years, and a lot of dedication and sacrifice goes into it. Unfortunately, conditions did not really gel with me today and I didn’t adapt,” Peters said, who was second out of the start gate.

“Fifth was definitely not what I was looking for with downhill being one of my better events.”

Norwegian Jesper Pedersen, the silver medallist from four years ago, produced a slick run down the Olimpia delle Tofane to register 1:18.14 to strike gold.

Niels de Langen of the Netherlands claimed silver – some 1.10 further back – with Canada’s Kurt Oatway filling the final podium spot in bronze (1:19.42).

Competing in warm temperatures of around 9C and softening snow conditions, 11 of the field of 23 registered DNF’s including Dutchman Jeroen Kampschreur, the quickest man in both training runs.

Peters continues his quest at the Milano Cortina Games when he competes in the Men’s Super-G Sitting on Monday.

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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/2026/03/08/new-zealands-corey-peters-5th-in-mens-downhill-sitting-at-paralympic-winter-games/

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White Sox great and Olympian Rhonda Hira calls for greater recognition of softball

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rhonda Hira in action for the White Sox against Japan in 2000. PHOTOSPORT

Rhonda Hira (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Tipa) has long secured her place in New Zealand softball history.

A five-time world championship representative, Olympian and New Zealand player of the decade from 1997-2006, Hira is widely regarded as one of the greatest White Sox to wear the fern.

Now, she says former players like herself have a responsibility to be more visible and help guide the game forward.

Raised in Hawke’s Bay, before settling in Christchurch nearly 40 years ago, Hira’s softball journey began with a newspaper article she read as a kōtiro.

“I was only like eight at the time and I was reading an article about a women’s team going to the World Series in South America,” she told RNZ.

“I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love to do that myself’.”

NZ White Sox representatives. Softball New Zealand

That early spark turned into a near 20-year international career. Hira debuted for New Zealand in 1983 and went on to represent the White Sox at five world championships – Auckland in 1986, Normal, Illinois in 1990, St John’s in 1994, Fukushima in 1998 and Saskatoon in 2002.

She also reached what she describes as the pinnacle of any sporting career – the Olympic Games – where the White Sox placed sixth. At Sydney 2000, she was New Zealand’s top batter.

“To be in that realm with your own people is something to aspire to,” she said, reflecting on the strong Māori and Pasifika representation within the New Zealand team at those Games.

Her most memorable campaign was the 1990 world championship final – which was never played – against the United States. A single round-robin result meant New Zealand needed a near-perfect performance to claim gold.

The gold medal game was rained out, which led to the United States claiming gold for the highest round-robin standing. 

“One run cost us 10 runs to actually win the tournament,” she said. “That’s a memory in itself.”

According to the latest rankings from the World Baseball Softball Confederation, New Zealand’s women are currently ranked 23rd.

It marks a shift from the White Sox teams of Hira’s era, who were regular podium contenders. New Zealand won the world championship in 1982, and claimed bronze in 1986 and silver in 1990.

As recently as 2016, the side was ranked eighth globally.

Softball’s Olympic status has also shifted over time. The women’s game featured at the Olympic Games from 1996-2008, before returning at Tokyo 2020.

It will again appear at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with six teams to qualify through a series of global and continental tournaments. Host nation United States automatically secures one place.

Rhonda Hira in action for the White Sox against Australia in 2000. PHOTOSPORT

Hira said, throughout her softball career, resources were limited. Programmes were handwritten on a single A4 sheet and training tools were improvised from household items.

“When I was making my way to being a White Sox, it was more of dedication to the sport and the commitment,” she said.

“We utilised a lot of resources we had in the home, like your can of spaghetti tied around a rope just to strengthen the wrists,” she laughed.

Today’s athletes had access to far more support, Hira said, but she believed the core principle had not changed.

“The real dedication is what you put into it is what you’ll get back.”

Softball in Aotearoa now has a membership base made up of about 60 percent Māori and Pasifika players. Hira said that connection wasn’t an accident.

“What draws our indigenous people to this game is that it’s community driven,” she said. “You don’t know until you actually play with somebody else that you think, ‘Oh, they’re from the same area. Why is that?’, so there’s that connection.”

She described softball as strategic, percentage-based and a whānau sport, where every player has a role to perform.

“It creates lifelong friendships. The camaraderie amongst those that have gone and those that are present is unbreakable.”

NZ White Sox Olympic team 2000. Supplied

While proud of what her generation achieved, Hira said visibility from former internationals was crucial to the sport’s future.

“Players like myself need to be a little bit more visible, so these players are able to say, ‘Well, that’s so-and-so and she went to so-and-so’, and maybe can approach these players that have been there and done that.”

She believed the softball brand was strong enough to demand more recognition nationally and internationally.

“It’s a brand that can be marketed. It has that support not only within the community, but at a higher stage as well.”

With Olympic qualifiers and junior world events on the horizon, Hira’s message to the next generation was to work hard.

“The resources that are available to you, use them well. The coaches that you have believe in the game that they’re trying to get you to play.

“If it’s not working, park it. It’ll be something you can use when it actually does come to fruition.”

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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/2026/03/08/white-sox-great-and-olympian-rhonda-hira-calls-for-greater-recognition-of-softball/

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Chief executive appointment ‘strong’ signal Taranaki councils headed for amalgamation – mayor

Source: Radio New Zealand

Taranaki Regional Council boss Steve Ruru has also been named interim chief executive at New Plymouth District Council. Supplied / New Plymouth District Council

The appointment of the current Taranaki Regional Council chief executive as interim New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) chief executive – a role that he will hold alongside his existing position – is a strong signal the two councils are headed towards amalgamation, according to New Plymouth mayor.

The move is believed to be a New Zealand first.

Max Brough said Steve Ruru’s appointment was an indication of what was to come.

“It’s a strong signal and I think, if you ask anybody in the wider local government sector, they all acknowledge reform is needed and it’s coming at us.”

Brough said the appointment would strengthen both organisations before local government reforms.

“It’s great, actually, because now we can start looking at what’s coming forward in front of us with all of this reform stuff and [we’re] in the perfectly placed position.

“Two councils that are naturally going to come together through the reform process anyway, as it pans out, and we’re going to be at forefront of the country at getting this underway.”

New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough. RNZ / Robin Martin

Regional council chair Craig Williamson also welcomed the move.

“Steve understands the complexity of regional functions, the operational realities of territorial authorities and the critical importance of collaboration between the two. He is the perfect person for the job.”

Ruru looked forward to exploring how the councils could work more closely for the benefit of Taranaki.

“The vacancy at NPDC provides an opportunity to pilot an innovative leadership approach in the region. Joint leadership gives us a strong platform to examine service models that could better serve Taranaki.

“This work will benefit both organisations and, most importantly, the communities we serve.”

Nw Plymouth Regional Council chair Craig Williamson. RNZ / Robin Martin

Ruru would take over from Gareth Green, who concludes his three-year tenure at NPDC in the coming weeks, and he would be in the role, while NPDC recruited a permanent chief executive.

He said both councils would have time to evaluate how service delivery and community outcomes could be improved as part of the wider Simplifying Local Government reforms.

“My focus will be on preparing both organisations for the future. I’m passionate about the role of local government in supporting our communities and I am committed to ensuring both councils remain well positioned through this period of transition.”

Details on how Ruru would split his time between the two organisations and be paid were still to be finalised.

South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon said he had been kept in the loop about developments, but at this stage, they did not involve his district.

“That’s just an agreement between TRC and NPDC. That’s out of the realm of South Taranaki District, that’s for sure.

“We’ve had no discussion, conversation whatsoever [about amalgamation]. I mean, that’s a thing really for the Mayoral Forum to discuss.

“Without further discussion, I’m not sure where this will go.”

Nixon was not sure what people in his district would make of any eventual amalgamation.

“I can’t speak for the community on this particular issue, but what I can make comment on is, when we went out to get submissions on Local Water Done Well around either a regional CCO [council-controlled organisation] or bringing it in-house, our community was very strong as to bringing it in-house.

“A lot made a comment that, whatever you do, we don’t want to be part of New Plymouth. They made it very clear, those ones that did reply to that.”

Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke believed his district and South Taranaki could eventually become involved.

“This is their initiative and they are looking to develop a plan between them. What will happen from there, they have left the door open, should we choose to join in at a later date, but at the moment, the proposal is between those two councils.”

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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/2026/03/07/chief-executive-appointment-strong-signal-taranaki-councils-headed-for-amalgamation-mayor/

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Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board candidate Chris Latham wants postal voting scrapped

Source: Radio New Zealand

A candidate in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board elections in Auckland wants postal voting scrapped. RNZ / Eveline Harvey

A candidate in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board elections in Auckland wants postal voting scrapped, after their 2025 election result was voided.

This week, a High Court judge in Auckland upheld a district court ruling that a new election should be held, after 79 voting papers were cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge.

Candidate Chris Latham said it was important his community could trust the voting system.

“Their faith in the postal ballot is completely and probably irreparably shot at this point, and I think it’s high time we moved to more modernised voting systems or booth voting, as we do in general elections.”

He said it cost Auckland Council about $200,00 to put on another election for his subdivision.

“The cost is borne by the ratepayer to put on another election. The council has to take an inward look at what went wrong, why it went wrong and how we can avoid it happening in the future.”

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board candidate Chris Latham. Supplied

Voting for the local board’s four positions opens to residents on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Election Services has confirmed postal voting will be used for the new Papatoetoe election, as it was legally required to undertake the new election on the same basis as the voided election.

Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske told RNZ that extra safeguards were in place for the upcoming election.

“NZ Post posties and Auckland Council library staff have been asked to be extra vigilant in their duties, and to report any unusual behaviour to me or the police. The police have been briefed and are aware of the election taking place, especially over the voting delivery phase.

“Auckland Council is undertaking a communications strategy for the public to be aware of the election and to look out for their voting packs from Monday to Thursday.

“A candidate briefing was held on Monday night, where all candidates were reminded of the dos and don’ts when campaigning.”

Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske says extra safeguards were in place for the upcoming election. RNZ / Todd Niall

Senior lecturer at AUT’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities Julienne Molineaux said postal voting presented security challenges.

“With the delivery of ballots, there’s no oversight to ensure the voter receives their papers and, depending on the letterbox design, they could be easily stolen.

“When turnout is low, fewer people will notice that their ballots didn’t turn up, because they weren’t going to vote anyway.

“The other security risk with postal voting is that the voting takes place in private and it’s not supervised by election officials. This means voters can be bribed, they can be threatened and they can be pressured to vote a certain way.”

She believed in-person voting would resolve those issues, but that it might not increase voter turnout or make it easier for voters.

“I think it would be a mistake to assume that it would also be successful in our local elections, because the two elections are very different.

“For the parliamentary election, we’re asked, as voters, to make only two choices – to vote for a party and vote for a local candidate – and we have political parties, which are an information shortcut for voters. It makes it easier for us to make our decision.

“Local elections have much more complex ballots. My local election ballot for 2025 asked me to make 11 different decisions and that’s quite hard to do on the spot in a booth.”

She said nothing stopped councils from changing how their constituents voted.

She said the Auckland Council voted against postal voting supplemented by booth voting for the 2025 election.

“Existing councillors were elected under the status quo, so it’s no surprise that the majority of them support the system that they have been successful in.

“We need an independent electoral commission running our local elections and making decisions about how they’re run.”

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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/2026/03/07/otara-papatoetoe-local-board-candidate-chris-latham-wants-postal-voting-scrapped/

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Riverlink project affecting Hutt River water quality

Source: Radio New Zealand

A water quality monitor moored midstream south of Melling Bridge in Hutt River Te Awa Kairangi. Phil Pennington / RNZ

Lower Hutt’s roads may be blocked up by the Riverlink highway project, but the river itself has so far kept flowing pretty clear.

Bulldozers have been busy in the riverbed and on its banks, shifting masses of stones around.

Meanwhile, monitors in the water upstream and downstream from the epicentre at Melling Bridge have shown some changes in quality.

“Yes, there have been temporary changes in water quality linked to RiverLink construction activities in the river channel,” Greater Wellington Regional Council told RNZ.

However, by mid-February, tight conditions on pollution had only been infringed once, the project copping fines of about $1000.

The changes in the river were allowed on condition the water quality returned to “ambient clarity” approximately one hour after any job was done, the regional council told RNZ.

It released a host of test results under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

The council listed a few minor problems for Te Awa Kairangi partnership – in early January, for instance, the water got clouded by work shifting the entire flow of the river from the east bank to the west under the bridge.

In November, fine sediment levels got too high, triggering the first – and as of mid-February – only “active management response” that concluded it was minor and not directly related to Riverlink.

Back in June 2025, “there was a discharge of sediment-laden water from the haul road and Rockline L3 construction works during a site inspection”. That co-incided with heavy rain, so they quickly built some temporary soakage pits and used hay mulch to turn it around.

So far, the project has done four monitoring reports on the riverbed – three on trout, two on macroinvertebrates and two on indigenous fish.

The Hutt River was popular among trout anglers.

“The potential and actual impacts of the RiverLink Project were considered, assessed and appropriate mitigations applied through the Environment Court Consent process,” the council’s group manager environment Lian Butcher said in the released documents.

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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/2026/03/07/riverlink-project-affecting-hutt-river-water-quality/

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Cabinet colleagues back him, won’t stand down as National’s leader

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) flanked by his Cabinet colleagues. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The Prime Minister has told Newstalk ZB none of his Cabinet colleagues have told him to reconsider his future, saying “all of them” back him.

Christopher Luxon’s comments came after speculation about his leadership following a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll had National on 28.4 – down nearly 3 points from its poll last month.

Labour was up at 34.4, while the Greens, ACT, and Te Pati Māori were all up on 10.5, 7.5, and 3.2 respectively.

New Zealand First had taken a slight drop to 9.7.

Those results would give the centre-Left bloc 61 seats, enough to govern, while the coalition government bloc would fall short on 59 seats.

Luxon told Newstalk ZB he was ‘absolutely not’ considering standing down and said he had the skills to lead the National Party and the country.

“The only thing I am considering is the future of our children and grandchildren.”

He said the only polling he took note of was National’s own internal polling, which was processed in the United Kingdom.

“I would reassure you – if there was a problem, I would be doing something about it. But we are long way away from what we’ve seen published in a TPU poll today.”

Luxon said he has “not thought about” what polling level would be the threshold for him to step down as prime minister.

“I have the full support of my team and my caucus.”

The poll came at the end of a week where Luxon struggled to communicate clearly on the Iran conflict.

Speaking on NewstalkZB, he acknowledged failings with his personal communication: “I’ve freely admitted, I’m not a career politician. I’m not always going to have the perfect most tidy soundbite like someone who’s been there 20 years would do.”

Luxon said the media had gotten carried away in its reaction to the public poll over the course of the day.

“The whole world seems to have got very exercised … the reason I’m going on your show is to clarify to people, no, I’m not doing that [considering my future].”

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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/2026/03/07/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-says-cabinet-colleagues-back-him-wont-stand-down-as-nationals-leader/

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Pole vaulter Eliza McCartney stakes claim for world indoor selection with national title

Source: Radio New Zealand

Eliza McCartney in action at the Sir Graeme Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

Kiwi pole vaulter Eliza McCartney has thrown down the gauntlet to fellow Kiwis Imogen Ayris and Olivia McTaggart in their internal battle for selection to the world indoor championships in Poland this month.

The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and 2024 world indoor silver medallist has cleared 4.81m to capture her seventh national title at Auckland’s Trusts Arena.

The performance sees her catapult to second in the world so far this year and, more importantly, puts her ahead of her training mates for the world championships, where New Zealand can only field two athletes in each event.

Two weeks ago, Ayris soared over 4.76m for third at an indoor meet in France, while McTaggart was over 4.70m to match McCartney’s outdoor mark at the Auckland championships that same weekend.

All three have reached the qualifying standard, but nations are limited to just two entries.

Ayris took bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, while McTaggart won the prestigious London Diamond League meet last year.

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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/2026/03/07/pole-vaulter-eliza-mccartney-stakes-claim-for-world-indoor-selection-with-national-title/

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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Blues v Crusaders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Photosport

Super Rugby rivals Blues and Crusaders face off in the match of the round at Eden Park on Saturday.

Surprisingly, both sides have just one win each to their names, but the Crusaders carrying the form of a victory over the Chiefs last week.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Marcel Renata 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Torian Barnes 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Codemeru Vai 15. Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Sam Matenga 19. Che Clark 20. Anton Segner 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Xavi Taele

Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Dom Gardiner 7. Ethan Blackadder (VC) 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Taha Kemara

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. Finlay Brewis 18. Seb Calder 19. Will Tucker (Crusaders Debut) 20. Corey Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. Xavier Saifoloi 23. Dallas McLeod

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/live-super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-crusaders/

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The Detail: The great property breakup

Source: Radio New Zealand

Townhouses on Glengarry Road, Glen Eden. Supplied

New Zealand’s love affair with property could be in the break-up stage, with no shortage of houses and investors turning to the share market.

It’s been a national obsession for decades – buying property and creating wealth through soaring capital gains.

But the days of making huge, untaxed profits on such investments are likely over.

The Reserve Bank’s chief economist says we may be seeing a “structural change” in the housing market; there are too many empty townhouses failing to sell; prices are going sideways; and the prospect of a capital gains tax being introduced is becoming more certain.

First home buyers are making a comeback.

But is it too early to say we’re seeing the end of the housing crisis?

On this episode of The Detail we look at where we’re sitting, with experts saying while there’s no shortage of homes available now, that doesn’t necessarily make them affordable.

There are several factors behind the shift.

Younger investors who know they can’t afford to get a foot on the property ladder are turning to KiwiSaver and managed funds – they’re the “Sharesies” generation. The ASB’s latest Investor Confidence Survey says traditional property investment is losing ground to options that provide better returns.

New intensification rules have seen developers replace traditional single-home sections with townhouses – so much so that the market is now awash with them.

Rents are falling – it’s now a tenants’ market – meaning returns on property are less certain. Rock bottom interest rates, which encouraged debt, are unlikely to ever return.

And the ANZ’s chief economist, Sharon Zollner, says there’s an inevitability of new taxes that would dent profit margins in property.

She says maybe a Capital Gains Tax is not on our doorstop, but it will come eventually.

“How long can New Zealand really remain such an outlier internationally, and refuse to have that conversation?” she says.

“I do wonder if people are starting to think that perhaps there’s an inevitability around tax change.”

Zollner says first home buyers have got the field to themselves and some of them are taking advantage of it.

“But then the immediate question is – why have they got the field to themselves? Where are the investors? And I think that’s where it gets interesting.”

She says investors seem to be wary. Adding to the uncertainty has been a very strong outflow of Kiwis to Australia, and they are putting their own houses on the market.

“While interest rates have come down a long way, they’re nowhere near the lows we saw in the boom, and now it’s a question of when they’ll be hiked.”

But Zollner says there are bigger structural issues.

“Can we expect similar returns from the next 10 years say, in the housing market, that we’ve seen over the last decades? And there I think more people are realising, probably not.”

BusinessDesk property editor Maria Slade believes we are on the cusp of a change.

“Perhaps people are starting to see houses as something you live in, and not necessarily an investment,” she says.

“Successive governments have tightened the rules around property investment. It’s not quite as attractive as it used to be. And also the costs have made it less attractive – insurance has gone up, rates have gone up … you’ve got to be getting pretty good rents to get a good yield out of an investment property now. So that’s also, I think, changed the mindset a wee bit.

“I think the tide has turned in terms of how New Zealanders are looking at property.”

Slade says that’s a good thing.

“We have way too much wealth tied up in property – it’s unproductive wealth, it just sits there on a 700 square metre section … it’s not doing anything for the country.

“We definitely need to get over that one if the country’s going to become more prosperous going forward.”

As an example of change, Slade has been looking at what commentators are saying is a glut of townhouses, and the consequences of that. Some are sitting on the market for so long they’re no longer considered ‘new builds’, which means favourable lending for first home buyers doesn’t apply.

In spite of the stagnant market, new data from Infometrics shows consents for townhouses grew by 14 percent from the year to January.

In today’s podcast, Slade talks about some possible reasons for that, including a possible move away from cookie-cutter style homes without car parks to less crowded buildings.

Kelvin Davidson, the chief Property Economist at Cotality, hedges his bets when asked if the housing crisis is over.

“It depends what you mean by ‘housing crisis’,” he says.

“I suppose what people think about … over the past 20 or 30 years is an affordability crisis where house prices have been too high in relation to incomes and it’s been a stretch for people to get onto the housing ladder.

“I don’t think it’s ever been easy to buy your first house. It’s been a challenge through time.

“So is that crisis over? Maybe.

“I think we may be reaching a turning point in the market now, where the mindset is shifting and people are starting to realise that actually, ever-rising house prices isn’t necessarily the best thing for a country.”

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

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/the-detail-the-great-property-breakup/

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Prim Minister Christopher Luxon says Cabinet colleagues back him, won’t stand down as National’s leader

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) flanked by his Cabinet colleagues. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The Prime Minister has told Newstalk ZB none of his Cabinet colleagues have told him to reconsider his future, saying “all of them” back him.

Christopher Luxon’s comments came after speculation about his leadership following a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll had National on 28.4 – down nearly 3 points from its poll last month.

Labour was up at 34.4, while the Greens, ACT, and Te Pati Māori were all up on 10.5, 7.5, and 3.2 respectively.

New Zealand First had taken a slight drop to 9.7.

Those results would give the centre-Left bloc 61 seats, enough to govern, while the coalition government bloc would fall short on 59 seats.

Luxon told Newstalk ZB he was ‘absolutely not’ considering standing down and said he had the skills to lead the National Party and the country.

“The only thing I am considering is the future of our children and grandchildren.”

He said the only polling he took note of was National’s own internal polling, which was processed in the United Kingdom.

“I would reassure you – if there was a problem, I would be doing something about it. But we are long way away from what we’ve seen published in a TPU poll today.”

Luxon said he has “not thought about” what polling level would be the threshold for him to step down as prime minister.

“I have the full support of my team and my caucus.”

The poll came at the end of a week where Luxon struggled to communicate clearly on the Iran conflict.

Speaking on NewstalkZB, he acknowledged failings with his personal communication: “I’ve freely admitted, I’m not a career politician. I’m not always going to have the perfect most tidy soundbite like someone who’s been there 20 years would do.”

Luxon said the media had gotten carried away in its reaction to the public poll over the course of the day.

“The whole world seems to have got very exercised … the reason I’m going on your show is to clarify to people, no, I’m not doing that [considering my future].”

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/2026/03/07/prim-minister-christopher-luxon-says-cabinet-colleagues-back-him-wont-stand-down-as-nationals-leader/

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Trevor Foley, Kat Matthews clear out to clinch Ironman NZ titles

Source: Radio New Zealand

Trevor Foley claims Ironman NZ victory at Taupō. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

American Trevor Foley and Briton Kat Matthews have headed off strong fields to claim elite honours at the 42nd edition of IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

Foley became the first United States man since Tim DeBoom to prevail in the men’s race, while Matthews justified her heavy pre-race favouritism, finishing well clear of her rivals.

Foley was rewarded for his late decision to come to New Zealand, following a heavy period of training in Florida, producing a breakthrough career performance.

Victory was based on his brilliant closing run, clocking 2h 35m 42s for the marathon distance, which was nearly five minutes faster than the previous best time for the course.

The 26-year-old claimed the lead about 10km from the finish, easing past Frenchman Pierre Le Corre, who finished second, 1m 43s back in his Ironman distance debut. American veteran Matt Hansen was third.

Pierre Le Corre leads at the end of the swim leg of Ironman NZ. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

Foley’s overall winning time was 7h 46m 44s.

For the first time since 2008, no New Zealand men were on the podium.

The event was the first of the calendar year’s global pro series.

Matthews, who has topped the women’s pro series for the last two years, showed she’s ready to make it a hattrick with a dominant performance.

She was never threatened over the second half of the race to finish in 8h 28m 55s.

New Zealand’s Hannah Berry was nearly seven minutes back in second, while Dutchwoman Lotte Wilms was third.

All three women’s overall times were quicker than the previous race record.

The top four men and four women all qualify automatically for this year’s world championships at Kona, Hawaii.

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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/2026/03/07/trevor-foley-kat-matthews-clear-out-to-clinch-ironman-nz-titles/

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Motorcyclist dies after Foxton Shannon Road crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Foxton Shannon Road. Google Maps

One person died after a motorcycle crash that closed Foxton Shannon Road between the Manawatū towns of Foxton and Shannon on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the area about 9.40am after reports of a single motorcycle crash between Himatangi Block Road and Poplar Road.

Police said the rider died at the scene.

The road was closed while emergency services responded but has since reopened.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/motorcyclist-dies-after-foxton-shannon-road-crash/

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Applause at Auckland Airport as flight arrives from Dubai

Source: Radio New Zealand

Those waiting outside Auckland International Airport’s arrival area erupted into applause for the landing of the first flight from the Middle East since recent conflict began.

Emirates flight EK448 from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates arrived at 11:30am on Saturday.

The flights follow a partial re-opening of the airspace, amidst the conflict in the Middle East.

  • Watch: Govt sends Hercules to aid NZers in Middle East

    • Michelle and Mark Frankham were at the airport to support friends who were arriving on the flight from Dubai. Pretoria Gordon

    Michelle Frankham and her husband, Mark Frankham, were some of the first at Auckland Airport on Saturday.

    The couple were waiting for Michelle Frankham’s friend Yvonne, along with Yvonne’s husband and two children.

    The family were returning to New Zealand after living in Dubai for a year.

    “We’re here to welcome them home, because I know that they spent their last night curled up in their bathroom with two young teenage girls, so we’re here with a car full of groceries and some gift baskets to make them feel better,” Michelle Frankham told RNZ.

    “We’re just relieved that they’re coming home.”

    Michelle Frankham hugs her friend Yvonne. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    Claire Eadie was waiting for her daughter-in-law Rebecca Fleming and her three grandchildren.

    Eadie’s son remained behind in Dubai, but had told Eadie that her grandchildren were upset by the alerts that warned of incoming missiles.

    “I think they are so stressed, I think it’s been a really hard week for them,” Eadie said.

    “I think they’re very sad at leaving their dad behind, but they must feel a huge sense of relief to have left.”

    As a grandmother and mother-in-law, Eadie was overjoyed to have her family back in New Zealand.

    “You don’t ever imagine your children in a war zone.

    “[I’m] heartbroken that my son isn’t here too, but very relieved that my daughter-in-law and grandchildren will be safe now.”

    Eadie said the rest of the day would be spent in “peace and quiet”.

    Fleming said all three of her children were born in the Middle East, and it was bittersweet to have left her home – and her husband.

    The flight was originally scheduled for Sunday, Fleming added, so she only had half an hour to pack before heading to the airport.

    She estimated there were 30 to 40 people on the flight.

    Claire Eadie with her daughter-in-law Rebecca Fleming, and her three grandchildren. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    David Ramsay was waiting for his wife, Leonie Ramsay, who had been in Dubai since 20 February.

    “I was going to go up last week, but as I was about to leave, they closed the airspace,” he said.

    While they had spoken “several times a day” since then, both burst into tears upon being reunited.

    “Really good to be home,” Leonie Ramsay said. “Really good to have her home,” David Ramsay added.

    David and Leonie Ramsay RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    Louise Kyle, who came from Scotland, also burst into tears when she was reunited with her husband.

    “It is so lovely to be home, it’s so lovely to call New Zealand home, lovely to be on the other side of the world.”

    She had been stuck in Dubai for three days, listening to a “missile threat” alert from Civil Defence every hour or so.

    Louise Kyle RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

    Margaret Grogan was also relieved to have made it back to her “second home”. She was en route from South Africa when she got stuck in the Middle East due to the conflict.

    “I love New Zealand. I’m from Ireland and this is … my second home. I absolutely love it.

    “When they asked me: ‘Where are you from?’ I said New Zealand. [They said]: ‘Isn’t that the safest place in the world to be in right now?’ And I said absolutely … very, very safe.”

    Margaret Grogan reuniting with her husband. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    While most of the passengers on the flight were returning home, one tourist had come to visit New Zealand for the first time.

    Richard Parnicky, who is an expatriate living in Dubai, was planning to meet up with some friends in Auckland.

    “It was a very peaceful flight. It was basically empty… I was looking forward to going to New Zealand for quite some time and here I am now.”

    Richard Parnicky RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

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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/2026/03/07/applause-at-auckland-airport-as-flight-arrives-from-dubai/

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    NZ Warriors v Sydney Roosters: Too early to celebrate big win in season-opener

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad celebrate the Warriors’ win over Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    Analysis: NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster isn’t getting too far ahead of himself, despite his team’s convincing 42-18 over Sydney Roosters in their 2026 NRL season-opener at Go Media Stadium.

    Up against a side Sydney media love to install among competition favourites at the start of each season, the Auckland-based side ran in seven tries to three, including a 22-point burst either side of halftime that gave them a firm grip on the contest.

    For the 12th time in their 32 seasons, the Warriors have begun their campaign with a win, but Webster wasn’t breaking out the champagne yet.

    “Tonight was worth two points, it’s not the grand final,” he insisted. “Everyone puts a lot of emphasis on round one and you get judged.

    “Last year, they said we’d get the [wooden] spoon, when we lost in Vegas. Tonight, everyone will say we’re real contenders.

    “It’s two points and, if I had a dollar for every time someone won in round one and didn’t back it up the next week, I’d be rich.”

    In fact, eight of the 12 season-opening wins across the club’s history were followed by defeats the next week.

    Here are some key points to come from the win over the Roosters:

    Best player

    Any early anxiety over how the Warriors would start the season without Luke Metcalf was eased by the performance of halfback Tanah Boyd, who probably had his best first-grade game for the club.

    He set the tone early, taking on the defensive line bursting through for the opening try and continued to orchestrate the Warriors attack masterfully, providing two try assists and two linebreak assists for a game-high 77 SuperCoach fantasy points.

    After a couple of early misses off the tee, he converted six of the seven tries, including three from near touch.

    “I think the way he’s trained and how clear he’s been, how fast he ran for that try… when Tanah runs, that’s when he’s playing his best.

    “I was really happy. I know he’ll have some things on his list, but I thought that was his best game.”

    Webster was cagey about any looming rivalry between Boyd and Metcalf for the No.7 jersey, but hinted he was open to playing one of them at five-eighth.

    Tanah Boyd scores a try for the Warriors against Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    “You don’t have to pigeonhole halves that can only wear the seven jersey,” he said. “Everyone’s getting a bit better at being a six or a seven, or you just look at them as two halves.

    “I’m not suggesting at the moment. I’m just grateful we have four really good halfbacks at hand.”

    That said, Chanel Harris-Tavita showed he’d also be hard to displace, with a brace of tries, both scored running an inside support line to wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for late offloads.

    Also a special mention for front-rower Jackson Ford, who led his team in both running metres (219) and tackles (28) over 71 minutes.

    This is a surprisingly rate feat – he was the only Warrior to achieve it last season, along with just a handful of others across the competition.

    Key moment

    Probably a couple, but the Roosters looked to have grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute, when Tuivasa-Sheck could not take a high kick from Daly Cherry-Evans and Roosters hooker Benaiah Ioelu won the race for the ball to score.

    Replays persuaded the bunker that rival winger Mark Nawaqanitawase had obstructed RTS in the midair contest and the try was disallowed.

    With the next possession, the Warriors marched up the other end and centre Adam Pompey scored a try in almost identical fashion to the one that was just ruled out, recovering a kick to scramble across the line.

    Even then, some doubt remained about whether he successfully forced the ball before spilling it, but replays suggested he probably did.

    Adam Pompey scores a try for the Warriors against the Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    That 12-point swing gifted the Warriors momentum, which they turned into a 22-point lead.

    The other pivotal point came at 28-18, after the Roosters had scored back-to-back tries and seemed poised to close hard over the final half hour.

    Boyd kicked a penalty to stop the bleeding and the Warriors produced a strong defensive stand against repeated sets, including a brilliant reflex grab from second-rower Kurt Capewell, as Roosters half Sam Walker stabbed a kick towards the goal-line.

    Harris-Tavita finally put the nail in the coffin with his second try five minutes from the end.

    Best try

    Soon after halftime, the Roosters needed to score to wrestle back momentum, but instead, Boyd put up a high kick towards the goalposts and second-rower Leka Halasima soared high to claim the catch and crash over for the try.

    Halasima made a habit of this during his incredible breakout 2025 season, but Webster held him back until after the break and played him just 35 minutes in this game, preferring to give Jacob Laban a decent run from the starting spot.

    “The day will come when Leka will play 80 minutes and I’m looking forward to that day, because it will be awesome, but he doesn’t need to do it right now,” Webster said. “He just needs to own his little time and have that impact.

    “There’s nothing wrong with coming on and having a try first touch – it’s really good.”

    Injuries

    The Warriors seemed to escape any major injuries from this game, although Ford was left clutching his shoulder, after tackling Nawaqanitawase midway through the second half.

    He played on another eight minutes, before he was finally subbed off.

    Back-up hooker Sam Healey also left for a head check late in the contest, but Webster reported he passed and could be considered next week.

    Co-captain Mitch Barnett won’t be back next week, as hoped, as he continues to rehab last year’s season-ending knee injury.

    He underwent four days of testing in Sydney last week and, while Webster insisted he had suffered no setback, Barnett will be held out at least another week.

    “We’re getting closer, so no dramas there, but the last month to six weeks, you get down to the nitty gritty. Everyone thinks it’s nine months, but sometimes it’s eight-and-a-half months and sometimes it’s 10 months.

    “They’re not injuries you want to mess around with. The whole medical industry has advanced so far on how quickly they can get players back, but the ACL is one of those ones that takes so long.”

    Roosters

    Coach Trent Robinson quietly seethed over how his team wound up on the end of a lopsided penalty count that was 11-2 at one point.

    “Things will go against you and the opposition will apply pressure,” he said. “It depends on the referee and how they determine those.

    “Eleven-two is quite incredible in our game, and then we had video ref decisions and all of that, but as I go back to, depending on what team you want to be, is how much of a swing against you do you let in that many points.

    “We want to be a team that you can have 11-2 against, you can have decisions go against you, and you can put your gloves up and say, ‘That’s cool, we might be a few points down, but we can hold onto that, no matter how far it swings’.”

    Essentially, Robinson wants his team to be good enough to withstand that adversity and still compete.

    Roosters captain James Tedesco finally snapped over the lopsided penalty count against the Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    With five minutes left, skipper James Tedesco finally snapped and was penalised for dissent, as he protested another call that went against them.

    The addition of Daly Cherry-Evans drew considerable interest. While he didn’t stamp himself on proceedings, Robinson insisted his team had created enough chances to win the game, but 42 points was too many to concede.

    The Roosters weren’t helped, when they lost State of Origin front-rower Spencer Leniu during warm-ups with a hamstring injury.

    What the result means

    A winning start to the season – and not much more.

    Midway through the opening round, the Warriors briefly sat second on the table, behind Melbourne Storm, but Penrith Panthers then achieved a bigger points differential in their win over champions Brisbane.

    That will likely change again, with three more games scheduled this weekend.

    What’s next

    Next Friday, the Warriors host Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium.

    The Raiders won both encounters last season, the first famously in Vegas, and went on to claim minor premier honours, before they were eliminated by Cronulla Sharks in the semifinals.

    They face Manly Sea Eagles in their season-opener on Saturday night.

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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/2026/03/07/nz-warriors-v-sydney-roosters-too-early-to-celebrate-big-win-in-season-opener/

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    Laser mapping and CT scans reveal North Island’s hidden quake risk

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    File footage, ESNZ – a diagonal fault offset exposed in a trench. Lloyd Homer

    Scientists are uncovering previously unknown fault lines and signs of hidden earthquake activity across the North Island, as new research sheds light on how the ground beneath Aotearoa moves.

    Studies are investigating potential faults beneath Auckland, newly identified fault lines in Wairarapa and signs of past shaking preserved in lake sediments near Hamilton.

    Principal scientist Dr Graham Leonard from Earth Sciences New Zealand said the work highlighted how much remained unknown about the country’s geology.

    “There are many, many thousands of fault lines across Aotearoa,” he told RNZ’s Saturday Morning.

    “We’ve really only studied some hundreds of them in detail.”

    In Auckland, researchers have identified one to two dozen possible fault structures beneath the city using thousands of underground drill samples originally taken for buildings and infrastructure projects.

    Likely faults, possible faults and possible structures identified in the study are superimposed on a shaded relief map of Auckland and plotted alongside Auckland Volcanic Field centres and earthquake epicentres since 1988. Supplied

    Scientists plan to dig trenches several metres deep across some of the most likely candidates, including structures near Pukekohe or Drury, to determine whether they are active.

    By analysing exposed layers of soil and sediment, researchers can identify where past earthquakes have shifted the ground. Buried material, such as wood or charcoal, can then be carbon-dated to estimate when those quakes occurred.

    “If there are bits of wood or leaves or charcoal in there, we can carbon date them,” Leonard said.

    “That helps us work out when the earthquake happened and whether the fault has been active in the last 100,000 years.”

    In Wairarapa, high-resolution laser mapping known as LiDAR has revealed seven previously unknown faults, including several crossing the Wairarapa Valley.

    One of them – the 26-kilometre Pāpāwai Fault – has recently been trenched for the first time.

    Scientists found a several-metre-wide disturbance zone, suggesting past earthquake movement may have occurred across multiple smaller fractures rather than a single break.

    Further trenching work is planned near Masterton to pin down when earthquakes last occurred there.

    Another study in the Hamilton Basin uncovered evidence of past earthquake shaking preserved in lake sediments.

    Researchers drilled more than 160 shallow sediment cores from lakes and analysed them using medical CT scanners, allowing them to detect disturbances in layers of mud and volcanic ash caused by strong shaking.

    Those disturbances, known as seismites, act as natural records of past earthquakes.

    The findings suggest some shaking came from distant faults already known to scientists, but other signals likely came from faults beneath the Hamilton area itself.

    Leonard said advances in technology were helping researchers detect previously hidden fault lines.

    LiDAR scans landscapes with millions of laser measurements taken from aircraft, allowing scientists to digitally remove vegetation and buildings and reveal subtle steps in the ground that may mark faults.

    An example of LiDAR scanning. File photo. ESNZ

    Although Auckland and Hamilton experience fewer earthquakes than other parts of the country, Leonard said that did not mean they were immune to major events.

    “You can still have a big earthquake anywhere in Aotearoa.”

    He pointed to the 1891 Port Waikato earthquake, which shattered windows across Auckland.

    Christchurch had shown how damaging earthquakes could strike areas that rarely experience strong shaking, Leonard said.

    The fault responsible for the 2011 Christchurch earthquake had been previously unknown and may only rupture every several thousand years.

    Research near Taupō is also examining whether earthquakes and volcanic eruptions may influence each other, after scientists found fault movements around the time of the 232AD Taupō eruption.

    Leonard said combining studies like these helped improve New Zealand’s seismic hazard models, which inform building standards and risk planning.

    “When we bring all these [studies] together, it helps us understand how faults interact with each other and how earthquakes might cluster in space and time.”

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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/2026/03/07/laser-mapping-and-ct-scans-reveal-north-islands-hidden-quake-risk/

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    Defence Force plane bound for Middle East to help New Zealanders stranded by conflict

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules prepares to leave for the Middle East. Kaye Albyt

    A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules was expected to depart from Auckland’s Whenuapai air base on Saturday morning for the Middle East to help any New Zealanders who may be stranded by the US-Iran conflict.

    But as of 12.30pm, it still had not taken off.

    Minister of Defence Judith Collins said the government’s immediate priority was supporting New Zealanders in the Middle East.

    “New Zealanders in the region are still being advised to shelter in place, or take any safe and practical opportunities to leave.

    “We are preparing a range of contingencies should evacuation operations become possible.”

    Collins said Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular staff and two Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J aircraft are being pre-deployed so they “can respond quickly when conditions on the ground allow”.

    One of the C-130J Hercules aircraft will depart from Whenuapai on Saturday morning, and is joining another Hercules which Collins said is already in Asia and is being “re-tasked to support this effort”, and is being moved to an “on-going staging location”.

    Collins said for security reasons she could not provide specific routes, timings or destinations, but said the aircraft were being positioned to ensure they were ready to assist with any evacuation operations should conditions allow.

    Collins also urged New Zealanders in the Middle East to register with Safe Travel to stay updated on evacuation options.

    Emirates resumes flights

    Emirates said flights were gradually returning to normal after the partial re-opening of airspace in the Middle East.

    The airline was running a reduced schedule while it worked to restore its full global network.

    It expected to return to full operations in the coming days, depending on airspace availability.

    A friend waiting for a New Zealand family coming back from Dubai said they wanted to bring some comfort for their return home.

    Michelle Frankham was waiting for her friend at Auckland Airport after what she described as a frightening night in Dubai.

    Michelle Frankham (right) and husband Mark Frankham. Pretoria Gordon / RNZ

    “I know that they spent their last night curled up in their bathroom with two young teenage girls, so we’re here with a car full of groceries and some gift baskets to make them feel better, so we’re just relieved that they’re coming home.”

    Around 30,000 passengers were flown out of Dubai on Friday, the airline said.

    By Sunday, Emirates expected to operate more than 100 return flights a day to 83 destinations – about 60 percent of its network.

    The airline said its full New Zealand service is now running again, with Christchurch handling both inbound and outbound flights to Dubai on Saturday.

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

    LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/defence-force-plane-bound-for-middle-east-to-help-new-zealanders-stranded-by-conflict/

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    Bunnings to trial facial recognition tech in Hamilton stores

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    From next month, two Hamilton stores will set up the technology to test safeguards are working properly. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

    Bunnings Warehouse will introduce facial recognition technology (FRT) in its stores across the country in a bid to crack down on high-value theft and serious harm.

    From next month, two Hamilton stores will set up the technology to test safeguards are working properly, and it will then be rolled out across the country.

    Bunnings manager Melissa Haines said the scale of retail crime was growing, particularly when it came to threatening behaviour by repeat offenders, and showing no sign of stopping.

    “Our number one priority is keeping team and customers safe, and we believe that FRT can play an important role in helping to protect people from violence, abuse and intimidation in our stores by repeat offenders.

    “The scale of retail crime in New Zealand is accelerating and shows no signs of stopping.”

    She said the company had “undertaken a thorough assessment process, with privacy, safety and community expectations at the forefront, and we are taking a phased approach to get this right”.

    “FRT gives us a proactive warning when a serious repeat offender enters the store, so we can act before something happens. It adds one more layer to the safety tools we are already using, such as security guards, team member training, body-worn cameras and serious incident response processes.”

    Last year three Christchurch supermarkets began trialling FRT, like Bunnings citing regular offenders. Operator Foodstuffs South Island said it would not be used on teenagers, despite people under 18 making up more than half of those deemed a problem.

    A study in 2024 found it reduced serious harm in supermarkets by 16 percent.

    The Privacy Commissioner in 2025 said facial recognition technology in retail outlets had potential safety benefits, despite raising significant privacy concerns.

    Police have been using the technology for years.

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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/2026/03/07/bunnings-to-trial-facial-recognition-tech-in-hamilton-stores/

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    Road blocked in Otago due to crash

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Coast Road, Karitane is blocked due to a crash south of the Otago township. Screenshot/Google Maps

    Coast Road, Karitane is blocked due to a crash south of the Otago township.

    Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash just south of Marks Road about 9.25am Saturday.

    Police said early indications were the crash had caused serious injuries.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

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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/2026/03/07/road-blocked-in-otago-due-to-crash/

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    Defence Force plane leaves for Middle East to help New Zealanders stranded by conflict

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules prepares to leave for the Middle East. Kaye Albyt

    A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules is set to depart from Auckland’s Whenuapai air base on Saturday morning for the Middle East to help any New Zealanders who may be stranded by the US-Iran conflict.

    Minister of Defence Judith Collins said the government’s immediate priority is supporting New Zealanders in the Middle East.

    “New Zealanders in the region are still being advised to shelter in place, or take any safe and practical opportunities to leave.

    “We are preparing a range of contingencies should evacuation operations become possible.”

    Collins said Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular staff and two Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J aircraft are being pre-deployed so they “can respond quickly when conditions on the ground allow”.

    One of the C-130J Hercules aircraft will depart from Whenuapai on Saturday morning, and is joining another Hercules which Collins said is already in Asia and is being “re-tasked to support this effort”, and is being moved to an “on-going staging location”.

    Collins said for security reasons she could not provide specific routes, timings or destinations, but said the aircraft were being positioned to ensure they were ready to assist with any evacuation operations should conditions allow.

    Collins also urged New Zealanders in the Middle East to register with Safe Travel to stay updated on evacuation options.

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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/2026/03/07/defence-force-plane-leaves-for-middle-east-to-help-new-zealanders-stranded-by-conflict/

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    Person dies in single-vehicle crash in Kaipara

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    One person has died after a crash on Paparoa Valley Road. Screenshot/Google Maps

    One person is dead and another has moderate injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Paparoa, Kaipara District.

    Emergency services were called to the intersection of Paparoa Valley Road and Franklin Road at 12.35am on Saturday, after a vehicle had gone down a bank into a stream.

    Police said a member of the public performed CPR before emergency services arrived, but one of the car’s occupants died at the scene.

    The other was taken to hospital in moderate condition.

    The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

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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/2026/03/07/person-dies-in-single-vehicle-crash-in-kaipara/