Category: Radio New Zealand

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Government increases New Zealand space launch limit to 1000

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied / Rocket Lab

A physics professor says he does not trust the New Zealand Space Agency to make good decisions about a likely host of new space launches.

The government is raising the total number of launches allowed to 1000, as the cap set at 100 in 2017 comes close to being breached.

The US-NZ company Rocket Lab dominates the launch market from its pad at Mahia.

Space Minister Judith Collins said the 100 cap was likely to be hit this year.

“This change ensures our space and advanced aviation industries can continue to expand while operating within clear environmental boundaries.”

The environmental impact from more debris from space vehicle launches had been newly determined to be low.

The rules would have required a special marine consent for every launch over the 100 cap.

Space Minister Judith Collins. Nick Monro

The government has been streamlining aerospace regulations under its strategy to double the industry to be worth $5 billion by 2030.

“This is yet another example of the government fixing the basics while building the future,” Collins said in a statement.

The review late last year covered impacts from debris in the Exclusive Economic Zone on the ocean and seabed but not beyond that, and not the effects on space or the atmosphere.

Māori, maritime and fishing rights, international obligations, economic benefits and environmental sustainability were looked at.  

Professor Richard Easther of Auckland University said the new 1000 cap was good for the tech industry – albeit it was over a long period of time.

“You could easily imagine it taking two decades to get through a thousand launches.”

However, he said New Zealand had yet to match its leading launch position globally with taking some sort of lead on the related environmental issues, such as launches and what satellites and other vehicles they take up impacting the nightsky and the chemistry of the upper atmosphere.

“It certainly gives us a seat at the table that otherwise we wouldn’t have … and I would like to think that we were leading on that.”

But the country was not.

“As a country that regulates orbital launch New Zealand should be at the front of these discussions. However, the announcement is silent on this context,” Easther said on Thursday.

There appeared to still be limited opportunity for oversight of launches.

“Firstly, we need to look at whether we trust the New Zealand Space Agency to do the right thing in private.”

Widespread concerns remained the agency had not been forthcoming about a methane-measuring satellite that taxpayers put $32m into but which got lost in space last year.

“They have shown that they can overly deferential to international partners.

“It seems that they didn’t insist on transparency and clarity when they had the ability to do that.

“The question of what gets launched is different from the MethaneSAT question but it is true that it is roughly the same people who are giving advice on both things and so if we don’t have confidence in one it’s very hard to have confidence in the other.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/government-increases-new-zealand-space-launch-limit-to-1000/

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SAS rules ‘tightened’ since death of soldier Nicholas Kahotea in training accident

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea, of the 1st NZSAS Regiment, died in a training accident in South Auckland in 2019. Defence Force / Supplied

Army training rules have been tightened since the death of special forces soldier Nicholas Kahotea, the man in charge of training says.

Kahotea fell several storeys while training to step from a hovering helicopter onto a building in May, 2019.

He died in hospital from his injuries.

Almost seven years later, a Coronial inquest into his death would examine what went wrong.

Colonel Paul Hayward, the assistant chief of army for training, was questioned on the intensity of training required of SAS soldiers.

He set out the different levels of training capability expected of soldiers.

“The three descriptors of levels of training we normally use are BLOC, DLOC and OLOC,” he said.

“BLOC first is the basic level of capability, initial entry training and some lower-level training courses, DLOC is a directed level of capability, what you would do subsequent to [BLOC] training, and DLOC is where most of the army sits at any given time.”

He explained the third level of capability, OLOC, was meant for soldiers preparing to deploy on specific operations.

“Most of the army will not be at OLOC unless they’ve been specified for a particular mission,” he said.

“The difference is the special forces always sit within OLOC, so they sit at a much higher level because of the complexity of what they’re required to.

“[They must be] ready to go, they’re basically the 111 of the military.”

Central to the inquiry was the decision to allow the soldiers to attempt the so-called “bump landing” at nighttime and while wearing heavy equipment.

The Coroner was earlier told Kahotea was carrying between 20 and 35 kilograms of equipment and was wearing night vision goggles as he stepped off the helicopter.

It was the first time the SAS troopers had attempted the manoeuvre, in which a helicopter balanced one wheel on the edge of a building and attempted to hold steady as the soldiers stepped off.

The NZDF’s “crawl, walk, run” policy requires soldiers to start with the easiest iteration of an exercise during daylight hours with minimal equipment, before moving onto gradually more difficult scenarios.

In the years since the fatal accident, Colonel Hayward said additions had been made to the army’s training rules to ensure the policy was followed.

“They specify in mandatory language some of the requirements down to the number of rehearsals required wearing various kit before an activity can be conducted, they are specified in both the training and safety manual and the mobile air training manual,” he said.

In addition, he said the NZDF performed a full assessment of the facility where the training took place, minimising tripping hazards and other potential issues.

Colonel Hayward addressed the family and admitted the Defence Force had made a mistake by allowing the training exercise to occur.

“Your loss is profound, and the NZDF deeply regrets the devastating impact that Nik’s death has had, and the irreversible consequences of this tragedy,” he said.

“NZDF acknowledges failures on our part in relation to the planning and authorising of the activity.”

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Reserve Bank review set for completion in September, originally due to be done by March

Source: Radio New Zealand

The independent review will look at the Reserve Bank’s response to the pandemic. RNZ / Alexander Robertson

A review into the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic was originally intended to be completed by March.

The Finance Minister says the delay was due to how long it took to appoint the right people to lead the review.

On Wednesday, Nicola Willis confirmed she had commissioned an independent review into the Reserve Bank’s response to the pandemic, including cuts to the Official Cash Rate, and the Large Scale Asset Purchase programme.

The opposition has criticised the government for the timing of the review, given it is set to be published in September, just weeks before the election.

The review will be led by monetary policy experts Athanasios Orphanides and David Archer.

Orphanides was a former governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, and member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank.

Archer was a former Reserve Bank assistant governor and former head of the Central Banking Studies Unit at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland.

On Thursday, the Treasury released a series of documents related to the review’s establishment, which show Willis first informed the Reserve Bank in July 2025 she was considering a review, and took the matter to Cabinet for sign-off in August 2025.

At the time, Willis expected the review would be completed by March 2026.

The documents also show parts of the review’s terms of reference were changed to factor in the benefits of its decisions, after a suggestion from the Reserve Bank.

Why the delay?

Willis told RNZ the hold-up was due to the appointment of the international reviewer.

She said following the Cabinet mandate, it was her job to find the appropriate reviewers, with Treasury making recommendations.

“First, people we approached weren’t available in the appropriate timeframe. We then had a challenge where one reviewer we proposed was available in the timeframe, but another wasn’t. And so we were both trying to balance getting a balance of someone with domestic perspective and international perspective, the appropriate international credentials, and being available for their time period,” she said.

“So there was a bit of a back and forth on finding appropriate reviewers. And at all times, I was very mindful of Treasury advice on the credentials that they needed to fulfil.”

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the delay was due to the appointment of the international reviewer. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Willis said it was “frustrating,” but ultimately felt the most important thing for the credibility of the review was the quality of the reviewers.

“I’m satisfied that we’ve landed on very credible reviewers. No one’s questioning their authority, their credibility. Clearly, these are people who are independent. There’s not a political bone about them.”

The Cabinet minute shows Willis had the authorisation to approve the selection of the experts and make changes to the terms of reference, in consultation with the associate finance ministers.

What do the documents say?

In a letter dated 10 July 2025 and sent to then-Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley and Governor Christian Hawkesby, Willis said the Monetary Policy Committee took “unprecedented” actions in response to the “significant economic challenges” caused by the pandemic.

She acknowledged the Bank’s review and assessment of its monetary policy performance between 2020 and 2022, which commissioned independent experts to provide peer review but was not independent of the Bank.

“As such, I am considering an external review to provide the Government with an independent perspective on the MPC’s performance during 2020 to 2022. This will ensure there is appropriate transparency over the MPC’s performance during a period of significant economic challenges, and will help identify lessons for future episodes of instability,” she wrote.

Feedback from then Governor Christian Hawkesby about changing the terms of reference were taken on board. RNZ / Dom Thomas

In response, Hawkesby said the Bank had made “significant progress” in implementing the recommendations of the 2022 review, but would fully cooperate with the external review if Willis chose to proceed with it.

Hawkesby had suggested the draft terms of reference be amended, particularly a section on whether the “stimulus” provided by the Large Scale Asset Purchase and Funding for Lending programmes “justified the risks to the public balance sheet and other costs”.

“We note that this frames the benefits and costs associated with these tools in narrow terms and should be widened to capture the impact LSAPs played in stabilising markets, and their broader fiscal benefits through lowering Crown borrowing costs and increasing tax revenue,” he wrote.

This feedback was taken onboard, with the final terms of reference changed to reviewing whether the “benefits” provided by the programmes “justified the risks and costs”.

Hawkesby also raised another section which referred to the review making “recommendations to improve the monetary policy response to future shocks, including commentary around potential changes to the frameworks, having regard to the benefits of hindsight”.

He said the Monetary Policy Committee’s remit was an important part of the policy framework, and while it could be reviewed at any time there were benefits to stability in the objectives of monetary policy.

“We suggest that any recommendations related to the objectives of monetary policy would be best addressed as part of the 5-yearly formal review of the MPC Remit, which is due by mid-2028.”

This was not changed.

On 9 February she told the new chair Rodger Findlay and new Governor Anna Breman that the government had finalised the establishment of the review, with the final terms of reference showing the new expected completion date of August.

“Independent monetary policy is a central pillar of New Zealand’s macroeconomic frameworks. The review strengthens this by supporting accountability and public confidence in the operational independence of monetary policy and informing its ongoing effectiveness,” Willis wrote.

She told Findlay and Breman she had adopted the Bank’s suggestion to broaden the review’s assessment of the costs and benefits of alternative monetary policy.

Willis told RNZ she thought it was important to engage with the Bank about how to get the best lessons out of the review.

“I think the final terms of reference allow for a full and penetrating review. So the questions will be asked, the information will be furnished, and those reviewers will be able to reach conclusions.”

She said it was up to former governor Adrian Orr and former chair Neil Quigley to decided if they wanted to front up to the inquiry, but said “if they’re wise, they will.”

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Is it time for the All Blacks to have a Pasifika coach?

Source: Radio New Zealand

A former All Black believes it’s time for a Pacific Islander to take the reins as New Zealand coach.

In 2024, players with Pacific Island heritage made up 14 of the 32-man All Blacks squad, with Christian Lio-Willie, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Du’Plessis Kirifi earning caps in 2025.

Star Moana Pasifika signing Ngani Laumape wants to see Tana Umaga given the job in the wake of Scott Robertson’s sacking in January.

With such a predominant Pasifika contingent in the squad, Laumape said it’s time for a cultural change and that Umaga is the inspirational leader needed.

“For sure. 100 percent. When ‘T’ speaks, everyone listens. When he talks about our purpose, it gives me goosebumps. When he talks like that, the boys are pretty revved up to go out and play for him. I feel like he’ll be an awesome coach for the All Blacks.”

Fellow former All Black Sonny Bill Williams also touted Umaga as the man for the role.

Tana Umaga has been touted by former All Blacks as the ideal candidate as Scott Robertson’s replacement. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

“We need some more flavour in the coaching group. I’m a big believer that in order to correct, you must connect, and these players at this level know how to play rugby. But what got the best out of me was believing in the coaches, wanting to go out there and run through a brick wall,” Williams said on Instagram.

The man himself was coy on the prospect when asked this week, shifting the focus to his side’s round one clash with the Fijian Drua.

“I’ve got a big enough job doing what I’m doing right now.”

Umaga said through the love of his parents and his Māori wife, he is privileged to understand what New Zealand means on “a lot of different levels.”

“I am a very proud New Zealander, born in Aotearoa, but I am passionate about my heritage.”

Like Robertson, Laumape himself also had a tumultuous tenure with the All Blacks, playing just 15 tests and arguably leaving at the peak of his powers in 2021 after being consistently overlooked.

Ngani Laumape. PHOTOSPORT

However, Laumape said he has put that chapter of his career to bed.

“I feel like it doesn’t matter if you played one game or 100, you still achieved that jersey. You still achieve that dream of representing the All Blacks. But I think for me now, I’ve closed that chapter and It’s been an awesome journey being overseas the last couple of years, but it’s really refreshing being back representing Moana.”

The powerful midfielder is now setting his sights on representing Tonga at next year’s World Cup.

“You can have more than one dream, and for me, I I still have one more goal that I want to achieve in my rugby career and that’s representing Tonga and I feel like this is the closest way that I can build to that dream.”

As the big name signing for Moana, Laumape said he won’t be trying to replicate the influence of Ardie Savea in 2025.

“I don’t think anyone can fill those shoes, but I think for me what he did not only inspired the young Pasifika kids but also inspired a whole generation of old and young and I just want to credit my brother for being the leader that he is.”

Laumape said he was annoyed by the narrative surrounding Savea and Robertson’s departure.

“I’ve seen that he’s been getting a lot of backlash in the media, there’s more people that were in those meetings and I feel like it’s pretty bull crap that only his name was out there and I know there’s probably about 10 players in that leadership group who were also in that review, and if one name comes out, all of them should come out.”

As for the season ahead, Laumape said they are far from a one man band and will not let the standards set by Savea in 2025 drop.

“We’re not here to make numbers. We’re here to carry on what the boys did last year.”

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Car of Tekanimaeu Arobati, swept away in Mahurangi River, found

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police found the Nissan X-Trail in the Mahurangi River. NZ POLICE / SUPPLIED

The car of a man who was swept away in the Mahurangi River north of Auckland last month has been found.

Tekanimaeu Arobati disappeared during severe weather on 21 January.

The 47-year-old’s body was found three days later in the river.

Now, police have recovered his SUV from the river.

Police found the Nissan X-Trail in the Mahurangi River. NZ POLICE / SUPPLIED

It was found on Thursday after the police national dive squad was sent in.

Arobati was described as a kind, strong, and straight-talking man who was deeply loved by his family, his brother-in-law Kai Tenanoa earlier told RNZ.

Police said their thoughts were with Arobati’s family and the wider Kiribati community.

His death was being referred to the Coroner.

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New Zealand First to campaign on Māori seats referendum

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters speaking at Waitangi Treaty Grounds last week. (File photo) RNZ / Mark Papalii

New Zealand First will campaign on a referendum on the Māori seats this year, with the party saying the time had come for a decision on their future.

Te Pāti Māori said it was “race baiting” and “rage baiting” and Labour said it was a “cheap and cynical” attempt to gain votes.

New Zealand First made the announcement on Thursday, saying it believed it had an “opportunity now” to ensure the policy was implemented after the election.

It’s a policy the party also took to the 2017 election.

On Thursday, NZ First leader Winston Peters referenced the Royal Commission into the electoral system in 1986, which stated the MMP system would create a more representative Parliament and the original justification for the Māori seats would no longer exist.

He also said there’d been a dramatic increase in the number of Māori in Parliament.

“We’re massively over represented. Now please take the advantage that you’ve got, be pleased about that and move on.”

He called Te Pāti Māori’s behaviour over the past two years the “last straw.”

“They hold the majority of the Māori seats and do not turn up to parliament, disregard the rules and processes, and show utter disdain for the system that gives them the very seats they hold – they represent no one.

“They have proven the seats they hold are no longer relevant nor serve their original purpose.”

He referenced outgoing Labour MP Peeni Henare’s losses in the Tāmaki Makaurau seat recently, saying he was “robbed blind” and there was “nothing to defend” in regards to the seats.

Peters said a referendum was necessary because that was how MMP was introduced in the first place.

“I’m saying to people in this country, if you want a dramatic, unified electoral system, vote for it,” he said.

Peters rejected it could be a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi “because it wasn’t in there in the first place.”

He said everything he had done for Māori was on the basis of need not race.

Asked how quickly a referendum would take place after this year’s election, Peters indicated he wouldn’t want the Māori seats during the 2029 election.

Politicians react

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi accused NZ First of “race baiting”. (File photo) VNP / Phil Smith

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said it was “race baiting” and “rage baiting” to suit New Zealand First voters.

“The types that Winston Peters represents is a dying cohort of people in Aotearoa.

“I would hope that New Zealand is mature enough to see the value in the Māori seats sitting here in Parliament.”

He said the timing of the announcement showed Peters was “threatened” by the fact it would be the Māori electorates that decide the next Prime Minister.

“He likes to sit in that position as the king maker, but unfortunately, every poll is saying that he is no longer in that position.

“This country should be celebrating the maturity of te iwi Māori in this democracy.”

On representation in Parliament, Waititi said the Māori seats allowed for a “unique Māori voice in Parliament.”

“Quite often we’ve had Māori in those Māori seats without being tied to party lines.

“What this allows us is a unique opportunity for Māori to have an independent voice in Parliament.”

Waititi suggested there should be a referendum on list seats, because it wasn’t clear who they represented, “they don’t have a mandate from constituents.”

“The Māori seats are clear. They have a clear mandate.”

Labour’s Kieran McAnulty said Peters was quite happy with Māori seats when he stood for one in 1975, and when New Zealand First won them all in the 90s.

“But now he wants to pretend to New Zealanders that they don’t like them and want to get rid of them. I don’t think Kiwis will buy it.”

Labour’s position was that Māori should decide whether to keep the seats or not, and “that position will remain firm.”

“It’s a cheap and cynical attempt to try and get some cheap votes,” McAnulty said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said a referendum on Māori seats wasn’t something the National party had discussed.

“What we’re really focused on is fixing the basics and building the future at the moment.”

He acknowledged the seats had been a feature of the political system for some time.

National deputy leader Nicola Willis said National planned to run candidates in the Māori seats this election, but no one had been selected yet.

In terms of a referendum, she said the policy would need to be taken to caucus for discussion.

ACT’s deputy leader Brooke van Velden said ACT wouldn’t take it to referendum, it would get rid of the seats through Parliament.

“It’s been an ACT party position – and a longstanding position – that we should abolish the Māori seats, because it goes against what the ACT party philosophy is, which is that there should be all people equal before the law and that it’s wrong to have separate seats based on people’s ethnicity.”

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New deal paying above market price for regenerative sheep farmers’ wool

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Regenerative sheep farmers could muster an above-market pay cheque for their sustainable wool clip, thanks to a new industry deal.

Wools of New Zealand signed a new contract to supply American-owned company Keraplast, based in Ōtautahi, with hundreds of tonnes of strong wool over the next five years.

Keraplast extracted keratin, the main protein in wool, that was then used as an ingredient in haircare, skincare, nutraceuticals and medical products.

Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter said the contract linked growers to high-value end uses, rather than the traditional textile markets based on commodity prices, to improve returns.

“This agreement demonstrates how strong wool can move beyond traditional textile markets into advanced, high-value applications.

“It shows strong wool has a future when we combine quality farming and innovative global manufacturing.”

Regenerative farmers focussed on enhancing the health of their soil, waterways and their animals, practices which were auditted for certified farmers.

The new super-premium wool contract was paying 40 percent or $2 a kilogram above market pricing for 2025, at $6.88 per kilo clean – and prices will increase $0.50 a kilo each year.

Keraplast chief executive, Howard Moore said the deal was about shoring up the supply of low-carbon New Zealand strong wool.

John McWhirter of Wools of New Zealand and Howard Moore of Keraplast. SUPPLIED

“We really do want to encourage the supply of regeneratively-farmed wool, but we also do feel it as an obligation from the company for us to to share in the value that we are adding to wool, sharing that with our farmer suppliers.”

Moore said the wool-only company was committed to net positive, a business strategy about creating more positive impacts than negative on the environment, society and the economy.

He said its industrial American customers were very focussed on sustainability.

Read more

“We sell to industrial customers and these industrial customers are concerned about their carbon footprint,” he said.

“And so we are able to demonstrate to these industrial customers of ours that we are doing our bit to source wool that’s got a reduced carbon footprint.

“That commitment to sustainability through using regeneratively farmed wool does help us with with our customers.”

Overseas competitors making products from keratin instead sourced the protein from chicken feathers, he said.

Moore said its 40 employees were working towards processing up to 100 tonnes of wool each year at its new factory near Hornby.

Since around August, wool prices in the North and South Islands had increased, exceeding levels in 2023 and 2024.

However, the national sheep flock was continuing to decline and major broker PGG Wrightson announced last month it was going to end its historic North Island from May.

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Gen Z, Millennials turn hawking their wares into a side hustle

Source: Radio New Zealand

Clothing is among the most popular things to sell. Rawpixel Ltd

The rising cost of living is seeing New Zealanders increasingly choosing to buy and sell goods in the secondhand marketplace.

According to TradeMe’s latest report on the circular economy which surveyed 4000 people, 64 percent cite financial pressure as the reason for looking to buy and sell pre-loved items more often, up 4 percent on last year.

Younger generations are leading the trend, with 83 percent of those aged 24 to 39 having offloaded items in the last six months.

“The younger generations are the real power players in this space,” says Lisa Stewart, TradeMe head of marketplace.

“Many in that generation are not just selling their unwanted goods, but they’re looking at them as a side hustle and proactively hunting out things that they could upcycle to make some extra profit.”

Concern for the impact on the environment of buying new and a desire to recycle was also a big factor in younger people’s choice to buy and sell secondhand.

Time to clean out the garage?

The report suggests 75 percent of people have unused, unwanted items in their homes they could sell, which adds up to 76 million items ready for a new home.

Stewart said on average, each person has 19 items to sell, with an estimated value of $1300 per person. And when it comes to decluttering, clothing and home and living are the most popular items to sell.

“In terms of the things that are flying off our digital shelves, we’re seeing lots of demand for outdoor furniture this time of year, and also for fashion brands like Kowtow or Lululemon,” Stewart said.

“For many households, $1300 isn’t a small amount, it’s a flight to see family, a significant buffer against rising bills, or a kickstart for a savings goal.”

The report also points to conservative spending behaviour, with 56 percent saying the cost of living has directly led them to extend the life of their household goods through upcycling, repurposing, or restoring them.

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Police want to hear from anyone with information about disgraced ex-priest

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fr Rowan Donoghue outside the Christchurch District Court last month. Nathan McKinnon / RNZ

Police are appealing for anyone with information regarding a former priest convicted of historical sexual offending to come forward.

It comes after RNZ was approached by former pupils of St Patrick’s Silverstream with concerns about former priest Rowan Donoghue.

RNZ earlier revealed Donoghue had admitted six charges including indecent assault on a boy aged 12-16, indecent assault on a boy 16 and over and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection. He is awaiting sentencing.

The offending related to four boys who were boarding at St Bede’s College in Christchurch between 1996 and 2000.

Before he was at St Bede’s College, Donoghue worked at St Patrick’s Silverstream in Wellington between 1982 to 1992.

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

In a statement to RNZ Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said police were appealing for anyone with information on offending by Donoghue to come forward.

A suppression order on Donoghue’s guilty plea was lifted last month.

“Following the lifting of all suppression, Police have been made aware that former students of Wellington school St. Patrick’s College Silverstream, have alleged similar offending by Father Donoghue,” Simmons said.

“We know it can be incredibly difficult and at times distressing to talk about these matters, but we would like to reassure any victims of offending that we will take them seriously.

“Police has a number of officers and detectives dedicated to these cases, and we provide a safe space to report offending in confidence.”

St Patrick’s Silverstream rector Rob Ferreira earlier told RNZ the school had not been made aware of any allegations of abuse in care while Fr Donoghue worked at the school between 1982 to 1992.

“We have not had any inquiries from the police either.

“We operate according to clearly set out guidelines and best practice and you should note that our primary concern is the wellbeing of our students. Given that – our protection of the privacy and any other rights of survivors of abuse and other individuals would be paramount.”

He said the school had informed the community that Donoghue’s name suppression had lifted.

He was also on the college staff at St Patrick’s College Wellington from 2003 to 2007.

RNZ earlier revealed that Donoghue admitted sexual abuse to leaders of his religious order, the Society of Mary, in 2007. However, he was unable to identify the anonymous complainant and instead of notifying police, the order sent him to Australia for a six month-programme that provided “professional risk assessment and therapy” for people accused of sexual abuse.

St Bede’s College rector Jon McDowall told RNZ it was brought to his attention by police in recent weeks that the college had previously been notified of concerns relating to Donoghue.

“On learning this, I immediately took steps to establish clearly what was known by the school, when it was known, and how it was handled. I was not in this role at the time, and records from that period are limited. This work is ongoing; I am committed to gaining as much clarity as possible and doing so with care and integrity.

“I will say again, if there was inaction, and any failure to respond appropriately, then I am appalled. My thoughts remain with the victims and survivors who continue to live with the impact of this harm.”

A Society of Mary spokesperson has also confirmed that while Donoghue could not identify the complainant in 2007, he was “certain” they were from St Bede’s College.

“No year was specified, but he was at St Bede’s from 1993-2000, The Society of Mary leader at the time advised schools with which Donoghue had been associated that he had been withdrawn from ministry.”

The spokesperson said two schools were told of the allegations.

“Our records show that the schools were told that Donoghue was withdrawn from ministry immediately. To the best of our knowledge, and cognisant of the policy and practice of the SM leadership at the time, we are confident the reason would have been made very clear.”

The spokesperson said the Society was not aware of the allegations to which Dongohue pleaded guilty until police laid charges.

“At the time of the initial complaint the Society made strenuous efforts over many months to encourage the complainant to contact the Police.

“As reported by RNZ previously, our first thoughts have always been with Donoghue’s victims and their families. We deeply regret the hurt and harm caused. We extend our sincere apologies to them, and will seek to provide appropriate support when they decide the time is right.”

Anyone with any information about Donoghue or who would like to report similar offending, is asked to contact police.

Where to get help:

  • Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
  • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
  • Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
  • Samaritans: 0800 726 666
  • Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
  • What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
  • Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
  • Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
  • Healthline: 0800 611 116
  • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
  • OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
  • Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053

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

Sexual Violence

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/police-want-to-hear-from-anyone-with-information-about-disgraced-ex-priest/

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Strike by Air New Zealand flight attendants leaves traveller in limbo

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flight attendants working on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777 and 787 long range aircraft are striking on Thursday and Friday after failing to agree on pay conditions. Supplied/ Air NZ

An Air New Zealand customer has been left upset after discovering at the last minute that a cabin crew strike had disrupted her travel plans.

“I have a flight tonight with Air NZ from Tonga,” the traveller who wanted to be identified only as Lia said. “I haven’t received any contact either via email or phone about my flight cancellation. I only found out about it when I went online to add a bag only to find out my flight date has been changed.

“I called customer service and they say email has gone out on Wednesday for a flight on Thursday, really? However, I didn’t receive any of that.

“There is a flight tomorrow. The customer rep said this morning there is one seat left but there is a possibility that it will be cancelled… If it will be cancelled the flight on Saturday is fully booked. I might lose my seat on the Saturday flight and the earliest I can go is Monday.”

Lia said it seemed to be very poor customer service and no compensation had been offered.

Flight attendants working on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777 and 787 long range aircraft are striking on Thursday and Friday after failing to agree on pay and conditions.

Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O’Brien told Morning Report it had proactively contacted all customers affected by the flight cancellations and offered alternative flights across its airline as well as its partner airlines.

The “vast majority” had been offered travel dates within a few days either side of the strike action.

Flights most affected were heading to North America and Asia, he said.

O’Brien said he appreciated that not all offered flights would suit every customer and a full credit or refund was available for those in that situation.

They could also claim “reasonable costs” involved with the disruption, like if accommodation was impacted by the changes.

A Consumer NZ spokesperson said in its view an international cabin crew strike was an event that within the airline’s control, and should be covered by the Montreal Convention.

“Under the Montreal Convention, if a flight is cancelled or delayed, impacted passengers can ask for a refund, or an alternative flight. They can also claim back any additional costs they incur as a result of the disruption – up to set limits. Passengers should retain receipts for any extra costs they incur to ensure they can get this back from the airline.”

Massey University marketing expert Bodo Lang said the strike could be an issue for Air New Zealand’s brand.

“On the one hand, passengers have been vocal about rising fares, with some complaints attracting headline coverage. On the other hand, staff are seeking improved conditions, including higher pay.

“For some consumers, this creates a perceived inconsistency: if ticket prices are increasing, why are staff arguing that pay and conditions need improvement? The inference some may draw is that Air New Zealand is generating excessive profits.

“However, the financial reality is more nuanced. Profit expectations for Air New Zealand have recently been revised downward, not upward. Explaining the intricacies of Air New Zealand’s financial statements to the public in an engaging manner is difficult. Some consumers may interpret the current strikes as profiteering, which could reduce the brand’s equity.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/strike-by-air-new-zealand-flight-attendants-leaves-traveller-in-limbo/

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Mt Maunganui landslide: Retired judge Paul Davison, KC appointed to lead external review

Source: Radio New Zealand

Retired judge Paul Davison, KC, has been appointed to lead the review which was previously signalled by Tauranga City Council. RNZ

A retired judge has been appointed to lead an external review into the events leading up to the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide.

The review, previously signalled by Tauranga City Council, is separate to a government inquiry that has also been confirmed on Thursday.

Six people were killed when part of the mountain fell and ploughed into a campground last month.

The council’s review will be helmed by Paul Davison, KC.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said his reputation meant Davison could have the scope to examine every relevant matter.

This will include accessing independent experts.

The review is expected to be done by the middle of the year.

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Gen Z, Millenials turn hawking their wares into a side hustle

Source: Radio New Zealand

Clothing is among the most popular things to sell. Rawpixel Ltd

The rising cost of living is seeing New Zealanders increasingly choosing to buy and sell goods in the secondhand marketplace.

According to TradeMe’s latest report on the circular economy which surveyed 4000 people, 64 percent cite financial pressure as the reason for looking to buy and sell pre-loved items more often, up 4 percent on last year.

Younger generations are leading the trend, with 83 percent of those aged 24 to 39 having offloaded items in the last six months.

“The younger generations are the real power players in this space,” says Lisa Stewart, TradeMe head of marketplace.

“Many in that generation are not just selling their unwanted goods, but they’re looking at them as a side hustle and proactively hunting out things that they could upcycle to make some extra profit.”

Concern for the impact on the environment of buying new and a desire to recycle was also a big factor in younger people’s choice to buy and sell secondhand.

Time to clean out the garage?

The report suggests 75 percent of people have unused, unwanted items in their homes they could sell, which adds up to 76 million items ready for a new home.

Stewart said on average, each person has 19 items to sell, with an estimated value of $1300 per person. And when it comes to decluttering, clothing and home and living are the most popular items to sell.

“In terms of the things that are flying off our digital shelves, we’re seeing lots of demand for outdoor furniture this time of year, and also for fashion brands like Kowtow or Lululemon,” Stewart said.

“For many households, $1300 isn’t a small amount, it’s a flight to see family, a significant buffer against rising bills, or a kickstart for a savings goal.”

The report also points to conservative spending behaviour, with 56 percent saying the cost of living has directly led them to extend the life of their household goods through upcycling, repurposing, or restoring them.

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High Court Judge wins right to have family bach dispute in private court

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Gatfield and Pearson disagreed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/high-court-judge-wins-right-to-have-family-bach-dispute-in-private-court/

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Health NZ shrugs off red ratings for big hospital builds

Source: Radio New Zealand

The project management office for the new Dunedin Hospital. RNZ / Delphine Herbert

Health New Zealand says two of its flagship hospital rebuilds are on track despite red alerts put on them months ago.

The red ratings on the Nelson and Dunedin projects were in the latest publicly available investment report from Treasury dated mid-2025.

Around that same time, the central health agency had rated itself badly with Treasury for how it managed its billions in assets, joined in the dog-house by Police and Defence on the latest measurement known as the Chief Executive Annual Attestations.

The Treasury investment report meanwhile showed the Dunedin outpatients building project under cost pressure, by a sum that was blanked out.

It also redflagged Nelson to ministers for not having its business case ready in time for Budget 2026 decisions.

Health NZ said on Wednesday that this related to Nelson’s future stages of work and there was no impact on construction timelines or the expected operation of new facilities.

“The project continues to progress as planned,” said head of delivery of infrastructure, Simon Trotter.

The Nelson project was shrunk to under half its former budget and cut into phases by the present government.

In Dunedin’s new hospital build, the cost risks had since been managed and it was expected to open within budget on time later this year, Trotter said.

The wider programme that included the bigger inpatients build was also expected to be delivered within approved funding.

The total budget was set at $1.88 billion a year ago after the government rescoped it in the face of public protest, on the grounds sticking with the previous plan would blow it out to maybe $3b.

Health Minister Simeon Brown (R) and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith (second from right) open the new emergency department at Nelson Hospital in November 2025. Samantha Gee / RNZ

Trotter also commented that a red rating reflected an assessment against specific reporting measures at a point in time and “does not necessarily indicate a delay to delivery”.

However, Treasury’s description of a red rating was that: “Successful delivery appears to be unachievable. There are major issues which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The programme may need re-baselining and/or overall viability re-assessed.”

Falling short on keeping up

In the other Treasury pulse-taking reports to ministers – the attestations – Health, Defence and Police scored the worst for meeting higher standards for managing their billions of dollars of assets.

Infrastructure experts have castigated public agencies in general for not keeping across the state of their buildings or spending enough on maintenance – the country’s leaky courts have been an egregious example of lack of maintenance, which a series of expensive projects were now trying to sort out.

Since 2023, 62 agency chief executives have had to attest to Treasury annually on how they measure up in 25 areas such as taking care of really critical assets.

A minnow like Antarctica NZ that has been caught up in stop-start rebuilding was non-compliant in only one of the 25 (some measures did not apply) in the latest attestations done last July.

One or two non-compliances were common, such as at Internal Affairs, and perhaps surprisingly Justice, and Kainga Ora, which has massive assets. Education complied with all 25.

By contrast, Health NZ failed in more than half – for 13 out of 25 measures, including being too slow setting up investment assurance standards for its failure-prone digital services; and not properly keeping track of “the identity, condition, and risk exposure” of its service-critical assets.

This last was a black mark against the Defence Force, that missed on seven measures, even as it struggled with a $2-3b refurbishment of rundown housing and other facilities.

Police were non-compliant with the watchdog’s demands on eight fronts, telling Treasury they were five-10 years away with some, such as getting all their asset management plans done or having an IT set-up that could keep track.

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Live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to face questions in Dunedin

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will face questions following a visit to Space Operations New Zealand.

Luxon has been touring the facility in Southland with Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.

The stand-up is due to start around 2.45pm.

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Wellington mayor Andrew Little promises to cut commercial rates

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s mayor Andrew Little. RNZ / Mark Papalii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Judge Ema Aitken must have known who she was yelling at, NZ First MP Casey Costello says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Judge Ema Aitken is before a Judicial Conduct Panel accused of disrupting the event at Auckland’s Northern Club. RNZ Composite

A gudge accused of disrupting an NZ First event must have known who she was yelling at, a party members says.

Judge Ema Aitken is before a Judicial Conduct Panel accused of disrupting the event at Auckland’s Northern Club, yelling at party leader Winston Peters, calling him a liar, and saying comments he made were disgusting.

The judge argues she did not shout, did not recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard, and did not know it was a political event.

Appearing on Thursday morning, NZ First MP Casey Costello gave evidence about the night.

She was not appearing as a government Minister, Jonathan Orpin-Dowell, who is assisting Special Counsel for the hearing, said.

Costello recalled being at her table when she heard someone yelling. She assumed they were yelling at her.

“Whatever she was saying, it was loud enough for me to hear and take notice of her,” she said.

“If it had only been in a normal speaking tone, I would not have heard the comments at that distance or taken any notice.”

NZ First MP Casey Costello. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Costello said the judge must have known who she was yelling at.

“From my observation of the events, the judge must have known that it was Winston Peters who was speaking,” she said.

“Mr Peters has, I believe, a distinctive voice, and had been speaking for some time when the judge began yelling.”

She said the judge would have also been able to see Peters through the doorway when she first came down the stairs.

Costello described another incident from the evening where she encountered who she later learnt was Judge Aitken’s husband, Dr David Galler.

Costello said Galler had confronted her, blocking her way and calling her despicable.

NZ First MP Casey Costello’s notes in her diary about the evening’s disruptions. Supplied

“He said ‘you are despicable, I hope you’re ashamed of yourself, you disgust me’,” she said.

Costello could tell the man was drunk by smell and described the altercation as particularly hostile.

“I asked the man why he had that opinion of me, he replied ‘you are responsible for killing hundreds of people, you should be proud’,” she said.

Galler went on to make other comments about Costello paying dues to the tabacco industry, and said she had no medical knowledge.

Costello had faced scrutiny earlier that year for rolling back smokefree laws and giving health officials a document that claimed “nicotine is as harmful as caffeine” and argued Labour’s smokefree generation policy was “nanny state nonsense”.

She said she had made a note in her diary about the evening’s disruptions but particularly about what had happened with Dr Galler.

“As a politician, whenever I have a public interaction with someone who is difficult, I tend to take a note of the interaction at the time, so I have a record of reference should it be needed.”

Judge Aitken’s lawyer David Jones KC cross-examined Costello, questioning whether the judge had in fact directed comments to her.

Judges called as witnesses

Thursday morning began with lead panellist Brendan Brown KC issuing a minute requesting other judges give evidence before the panel.

It comes after Special Counsel for the Inquiry requested the panel ask other District Court judges to give evidence.

KC requested District Court judges David McNaughton and Pippa Sinclair to appear and give evidence.

Those called had been among the people sitting at Judge Aitken’s table at a function of District Court judges that had brought her to the Northern Club that night.

Special Counsel Tim Stephens KC had told the panel earlier in the week some of the Judges and their partners who sat at Judge Aitken’s table may have relevant evidence to give.

Brown KC also indicated he would also call Judge Sinclair’s partner to give evidence, as well as the partner of another judge present.

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Christchurch terrorist suffered ‘complete destruction of his identity’ in prison, his lawyers say

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fifty-one people were killed in two attacks on mosques in Christchurch in 2019. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

Lawyers acting for the terrorist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques say their client suffered a “complete destruction of his identity” because of his prison conditions, leading to an irrational decision to plead guilty.

Australian Brenton Tarrant wants the Court of Appeal to overturn his convictions and sentence for the March 2019 shootings at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.

After initially pleading not guilty in June 2019 to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of committing terrorism, he changed his pleas in March 2020.

The terrorist was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in August 2020.

The 35-year-old now claims he pleaded guilty only because he was irrational as a result of the solitary nature of his prison conditions, which were torturous and inhumane.

One of the terrorist’s lawyers, who can only be identified as counsel A, quoted Nelson Mandela in laying out their argument to Justices Christine French, Susan Thomas and David Collins.

“No one truly knows a nation until he’s been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged on how it treats its highest citizens but how it treats its lowest ones,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer argued there were minimum conditions that all prisoners were entitled to, regardless of the crime they were accused of, and the terrorist’s rights had been breached.

“Those conditions apply to everyone. They apply to everyone, even Mr Tarrant, who has been described as the most reviled person in New Zealand. He is entitled to the rule of law and to be treated in accordance with the same standards that attach to all prisoners in New Zealand,” the lawyer said.

“Even in this most terrible of cases there are minimum expectations – minimum – which we say were ignored in this unprecedented case. These principles and standards include the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, as well as international agreements as to how prisoners are to be held and treated.

“It is submitted that we must hold fast to those ideals that form this nation and not be pulled away by the undoubtedly strong and no doubt justified emotions that attach in this particular case. We must hold fast, especially in the most difficult of cases and circumstances which this case undoubtedly is. It is these most difficult of cases which test and strain at the rule of law the most.”

Counsel A claimed that the terrorist had lost all ability to defend himself in court as a result of his prison conditions, including total isolation aside from transactional contact with corrections staff, constant surveillance and limited activity.

“His guilty pleas were not entered voluntarily. They were entered as a direct result of the oppressive conditions in which he was held,” the lawyer said.

“It is said that these oppressive conditions impacted upon his mental health to such a severe extent that it prevented him from being able to participate in court process properly.

“It is Mr Tarrant’s evidence that due to his isolation and the associated conditions, he suffered a complete destruction of his identity. He describes this as nervous exhaustion or a nervous breakdown.”

The court has heard the terrorist initially raised the possibility of pleading guilty on 31 July 2019 – which came as a surprise to one of his then-lawyers – but four days’ later he again changed his mind and maintained his not guilty stance.

On Tuesday his former lawyers Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson told the court from that point they were clear the terrorist always intended to plead guilty but he wanted to control the timing of his plea.

The terrorist claimed his mental state had declined to such an extent he felt forced into pleading guilty and he feared embarrassing himself at trial.

“It is his evidence that he had lost his sense of who he was and the capacity, the resilience if you like, to be able to run an effective defence by himself,” counsel A told the court on Thursday morning.

“There was also the point made that he believed if he did plead guilty that he might be able to ameliorate or improve those prison conditions under which he was being held.”

On Wednesday the court heard from other lawyers who had previously acted for the terrorist and described his conditions as unsatisfactory.

A psychologist said the terrorist’s prison conditions were not positive but were not as harsh as some prisons globally and did not amount to torture.

The terrorist appearing at the hearing earlier this week. Supplied

The terrorist was housed in the prisoners of extreme risk unit (PERU) at Auckland Prison.

He was cut off from meaningful interaction with other people, including fellow prisoners.

Another lawyer acting for the terrorist, who can only be identified as counsel B, said the conditions her client was held under before pleading guilty were unprecedented in modern New Zealand history.

“Make no mistake, Mr Tarrant’s circumstances are like no other. They are far more extreme, in our submission, than any other prisoner in the PERU or any other prisoner in New Zealand history,” counsel B told the court.

The terrorist, in his own subjective assessment, was not acting rationally at the time of pleading guilty but had only become aware of that with the benefit of hindsight, counsel B said.

The terrorist’s lawyers will continue their submissions on Thursday afternoon.

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NZ Warriors kick off NRL campaign with pre-season trial against Manly Sea Eagles

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Maire Martin, Wayde Egan, Leka Halasima, Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad prepare in different ways for their 2026 NRL season. Photosport/RNZ

NRL Pre-season: NZ Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles

Kickoff: 3.40pm Saturday, 14 February

McLean Park, Napier

Live blog updates on RNZ

Analysis: Take a deep breath and soak in the last warmth of summer – this could be as good as it gets for the next nine months of the NRL season.

This is the pre-season, a time when anything still seems possible.

If you’re a player, you feel the fittest, the strongest and healthiest you will be for a long time. Soon enough, you will be back to managing injuries from one week to the next, as each tackle takes its cumulative toll and life becomes a grind.

If you’re a coach, you have made no bad decisions – or at least, none that you know of yet.

If you’re a fan, your team have suffered no defeats and sit equal top of the table with 16 others.

If you’re a Warriors fan, you can still believe THIS is the year your team finally break their championship drought.

Hope springs eternal, but reality will be tested for the first time on Saturday, when the Warriors face Manly Sea Eagles in their opening pre-season trial at Napier.

Coach Andrew Webster is impressed by the individual work his players have put in during their off-season.

“Over the Christmas break, they made a pact to each other that they would go away and enjoy the break, but come back fit and hit their targets,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen every single player do so and I’m really impressed with that. It’s now about piecing the football fitness together, which we’re doing, and it’s enabled us to do more football, rather than just conditioning.”

The hits are about to get real for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his Warriors teammates. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has endured hundreds of pre-season workouts during his 12 NRL campaigns, has already noticed a step up among his teammates.

“My biggest [impression] of the 2026 pre-season is everyone’s moving a lot faster now,” he said. “I think the game is forcing us that way, but it’s good.

“The boys are looking sharp out there, everyone’s moving at a speed that is different to last year already. It’s exciting.”

Webster thinks he more or less knows who will line up for the season-opener against Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium on 6 March.

“I reckon 15 players have probably picked themselves,” Webster said. “I reckon two spots are up for grabs, but of those 15 that have their nose in front, things could change quickly.

“We’ve got some decent continuity, we know who we’re thinking, but at the same time, 3-4 weeks is a long time in footy and things could change.

“If you got through each position, we’ve got great depth. Where we’ve got experience, we’ve got great youth knocking on the door behind them.

“Happy to have that headache, but it can also be an Achilles heel. You have great competition, but it’s hard to give people clarity straight away over what their year looks like and where they’re going to be.

“Some payers think it’s the Olympics and round two comes around four years later. If they don’t make round one, their world ends.

“It’s good to have that goal and ambition, and to want that round one position really badly, but round two is only seven days away.”

Here’s a few things to watch for over the next couple of weeks, as the hits become real.

Positional battles

Webster may not agree, but perhaps only Tuivasa-Sheck would seem assured of his backline spot for round one.

Coach Andrew Webster reckons he has 15 of his 17 players sorted for round one against Sydney Rooster – but that could change. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Others may be pencilled in as incumbents, but they will have to defend those positions against legitimate challengers.

These contests become somewhat blurred this week, with seven players away on Māori-Indigenous duty and niggly injuries sidelining others.

Fullback: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is as courageous as they come at the back, but towards the end of last season, some were calling for Taine Tuaupiki to inherit the No.1 jersey fulltime.

Neither are available against Manly – CNK lines up in the halves for the Māori, while Tuaupiki tends to a leg injury – so reserve-grader Geronimo Doyle fills the position.

Wing: RTS seems embedded on one flank (although some still see him as the club’s best fullback, while others consider him the answer to the problems at centre), but Dallin Watene-Zelezniak struggled with injury and form last season.

The arrival of speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira means DWZ must maintain high standards or lose his spot.

Centre: Seven different players started in the midfield last season, with specialists Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua plagued by injury.

Incredibly, many still don’t consider Adam Pompey an automatic selection, despite playing every minute of every game, but his reliability cannot be overlooked.

Hopefully, Kurt Capewell will not be wasted there this time round. CNK is a better option – he played there for the Kiwis – and powerhouse Leka Halasima fills the void this week against the Sea Eagles, as he did against Penrith Panthers in last year’s playoffs.

Halves: First-choice halfback Luke Metcalf will miss a couple of months, so his position is up for grabs. Tanah Boyd has the inside running, after filling in last season, but Webster has plenty of half options up his sleeve, including Te Maire Martin (who will likely lose his utility value under new interchange rules) and Jett Cleary.

Webster also warns not to sleep on newcomer Jye Linane, once he’s up to speed from knee surgery.

Forwards: At full health, the pack almost picks itself. Front-rower Mitch Barnett should be back near the start of the season, but if he’s not, Jackson Ford or Demitric Vaimauga can deputise ably.

Webster may need to scale back Wayde Egan’s use at hooker to preserve him for later in the season and understudy Sam Healey has proved himself at this level.

Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett is eyeing a return to action by round one, after rehabbing his knee injury. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Dally M Lock of the Year Erin Clark appears ‘locked’ in, but exactly where Englishman Morgan Gannon fits remains to be seen. If Halasima stays at centre, that may open up a spot, but there are plenty of others queuing up to fill it.

Second row is probably where Webster’s biggest selection headaches lie. Who starts, who comes off the bench and who is consigned to NSW Cup may prove contentious.

Injuries

When he talks about how quickly things can change, Webster is referring to the almost inevitable pre-season injury that will alter his line-up for week one.

Last year, Watene-Zelezniak lasted only a few minutes before breaking his wrist.

Back-up fullback Tuaupiki described how he expected specialist winger Ed Kosi to get the call off the bench, but instead was suddenly thrust into a position where he had limited experience – and made it his own.

As DWZ returned to fitness, Tuivasa-Sheck tweaked a hamstring that extended Tuaupiki’s stay in the starting line-up.

“Taine played maybe the first 7-8 games on the wing last year and I think we won five out of those seven,” Webster recalled. “To be part of that and to have that depth, with everyone playing different positions is awesome.”

In fact, Tuaupiki stuck around through nine games, helping his team to a club-best 7-2 start and second place on the table. Soon after he was relegated to reserves, the Warriors began their slide.

The Warriors already have a series of minor injuries, but there’s every likelihood they will lose someone else in the build-up, as bodies adjust to impact again.

Bolters

Ten players have been named as reserves against Manly. None have played first grade, but most, if not all can expect some run this weekend – perhaps not enough to really push for places in the top team immediately, but maybe enough to delay their promotion further.

Tuivasa-Sheck highlighted a couple to watch out for – powerful outside backs Sio Kali and Motu Pasikala. Here’s some more.

Eddie ‘Goggins’ Ieremia-Toeava may be poised for promotion up the Warriors rotation. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Haizyn Mellars: With DWZ and AKP both away on all-star duty, the new kid from Souths gets an immediate chance to impress on the wing.

He has big shoes to fill, following father Vince into the Warriors programme, and is desperate to crack the top team to create a piece of family history.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava: Often named as 18th man, Ieremia-Toeava finally made his premiers debut against the Dolphins in round 22, logged five games and scored a try against Gold Coast Titans.

He’s renowned for his work ethic at training, earning the nickname ‘Goggins’ after inexhaustible ultra-athlete and former US Navy SEAL David Goggins. He may be ready to jump a few spots in the second-row pecking order.

Kayliss Fatialofa: Maybe the last thing the Warriors need is another second-rower, but the club thinks enough of Fatialofa to secure him for the next two seasons.

He hasn’t played first grade yet, but appeared in every game for the champion reserves last season, logging 80 minutes in 19 of his 22 outings and finishing as equal top tryscoring forward in the NSW Cup. He’ll come off the interchange against the Sea Eagles.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/12/nz-warriors-kick-off-nrl-campaign-with-pre-season-trial-against-manly-sea-eagles/

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High Court Judge wins right to have family batch dispute in private court

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Gatfield and Pearson disagreed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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