Radio New Zealand – Page 138

Electric vehicle sales have seen a decline, and one expert blames changes coming from Wellington. AFP

The EV slowdown: How government decisions changed the road ahead.

For a while there, electric vehicles felt inevitable in New Zealand, attracting a growing number of Kiwi drivers.

The future, humming quietly along city and rural roads, was silent, clean, and cheaper to run.

Then the brakes went on.

The Detail looks at why, talking to long-time EV-user Ed Harvey, founder and CEO of Evnex – an EV smart charging company in Christchurch.

He says in the space of a couple of years, electric vehicle sales have slumped, with the blame trail leading straight to Wellington. The government scrapped the clean car discount, introduced EV road-user charges, and, most recently, weakened the clean car standards.

“They [government ministers] would say they didn’t think it was working – they would probably say, look, the market share is way down, that’s proving Kiwis don’t really want electric vehicles, but I think the government has… really leveraged the politicisation of EVs to their advantage,” Harvey tells The Detail.

“And they haven’t shown leadership in a technology that is actually going to save kiwis money.”

Harvey built his own EV car, converting his Honda Accord, while at university in 2013.

He’s since sold it, upgrading to another EV.

But he says fewer Kiwis are joining him for the silent drive on New Zealand roads.

“We are definitely not soaring. 2025 was not the best year; I would say it was sort of flat, if not a very moderate growth.”

In terms of pure B-EVs (battery electric vehicles rather than hybrids) just over 9000 were sold in the New Zealand market last year. That’s just over a four percent market share, a slight increase on 2024 but a big dip on the year before. In 2023, which was the last year of the clean car discount, B-EVs had a 10 percent market share, translating to 26,000 sold.

“And even the year before that, in 2022, we had just under 20,000 [sold], and, again, compare that with just over 9000 last year, it’s a huge drop, which is really disappointing for those of us in the industry,” Harvey says.

After the government scrapped the clean car discount – the rebate that knocked thousands of dollars off the price of an electric vehicle – EVs were brought into the road user charge net.

For years, EV drivers had been exempt – a deliberate incentive to encourage uptake. That advantage disappeared – fairness, the government argued. Everyone pays their way.

Then late last year, penalties under the Clean Vehicle Standard – designed to push importers toward low-emission cars – were slashed, and the pressure to prioritise cleaner vehicles eased.

The government insists the slowdown reflects global trends and tight household budgets.

But Harvey says it has come at a devastating cost to the environment and for EV businesses.

“It’s done huge damage to the industry. There were a lot of fledgling businesses that were building, whether it be EV charging infrastructure, like us, or battery recycling, or EV service specialists that were starting to grow quite well back in 2022/23. It’s done a huge amount of damage to those businesses, and they have lost a lot of confidence.”

It prompted him to write opinion pieces for The Post and on LinkedIn, saying “the New Zealand government’s lack of strategy and ambition around electrification is nothing short of embarrassing. Our transport minister is capitulating to the interests of lobbyists and short-term political gains”.

He tells The Detail that transport remains a large source of emissions in New Zealand. And EVs are an answer to reduce this.

The Port of Auckland has noticed a drop in the number of EVs arriving in New Zealand.

Between 15,000 and 18,000 vehicles – a mix of EVs, hybrids, petrol, and diesel – arrive in Auckland every month – that’s about 200,000 a year.

But for December last year, only 600 vehicles were EVs.

“A year before that, December 2024, that was over 800, so we are talking about a decrease of around 30 percent for EVs,” Chris Mills, general manager, marine, multi-cargo and cruise at Port of Auckland, tells The Detail.

“And we are also seeing similar numbers, in terms of reductions, around plug-in hybrids.”

He says he’s seen a bump in non-plug-in, self-charging hybrids – the petrol-hybrid equivalent.

“We have seen those numbers really boom. In December, there were 2700 units registered in New Zealand.”

Ed Harvey doesn’t mind hybrids but would still prefer drivers committed to full electric vehicles.

He says they are the future ….. the technology is there, the chargers still work, it’s just that the road ahead is a lot less clear.

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/2026/02/10/the-ev-slowdown-how-government-decisions-changed-the-road-ahead/

February 10, 2026

New liquified natural gas terminal: ‘Vital’ or ‘bonkers’?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Energy minister Simon Watts. RNZ/Mark Papalii

The government wants taxpayers to pay for a new liquified natural gas import terminal, but is promising lower power prices will come as a result.

It is estimated the new terminal, expected to be ready next year at the earliest, will save New Zealanders around $265 million a year by reducing price spikes and lowering the risk premiums.

But a new levy will be charged to get it built.

The government is touting it as a solution to New Zealand’s energy woes.

“It will mean that Kiwis will not need to suffer through an endless series of winter bill shocks,” energy minister Simon Watts said on Monday.

‘Vital part of the overall puzzle’ – Energy Resources Aotearoa

The idea is that it will reduce the risk of shortages during a dry year.

Liquified natural gas (LNG) can be imported at large volumes, stored, and then ‘regasified’ to be sent out for use.

John Carnegie, chief executive of industry body Energy Resources Aotearoa, said the terminal would be a useful insurance policy for when the weather did not play ball.

“LNG will be useful as a vital part of the overall puzzle of New Zealand’s energy system security,” he said.

“LNG can be expected to take the heat out of the electricity market when renewable fuels like wind, water, and the sun don’t turn up when they’re needed. It will place downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices and reduce the risk premium in the out years.”

Energy Resources Aotearoa chief executive John Carnegie. Supplied / Rob Tucker

Last year’s Frontier Report – commissioned to review the performance of the electricity market – warned it should only be used as a last resort.

The report said using it just to meet dry year risk made no economic sense, as the large fixed costs would be spread over a relatively small amount of output.

But Carnegie said LNG provided a “virtuous circle” to support the development of more renewables, and pointed the finger at the previous government’s ban on offshore oil and gas exploration as a reason why power prices were spiking in dry years.

“More wind and solar and batteries are great, but also the conundrum is their growth exacerbates the problem of being too weather dependent. So we need a reliable fuel to fill the gaps which domestic gas previously filled. And so New Zealand’s energy system, I believe, will be at its most effective when renewable generation and firming fuels like LNG and domestic gas work in harmony.”

A separate study by gas company Clarus, along with the four gentailers, found it was feasible but would likely be costly, and only needed occasionally.

Following the announcement, Clarus’ chief executive Paul Goodeve said it would increase New Zealand’s energy resilience and increase the range of markets it could draw from.

“At the moment, the coal that we import is relatively restricted where it comes from. The global market in LNG is vast and diverse, and appears to be continuing as we speak.”

Goodeve was confident it could be financially sustainable, and the government’s involvement in the procurement system made sense.

“It appears as though they’ve got work done by financial advisors who pointed out the benefits to the overall New Zealand energy system, but particularly the electricity system, of having LNG in the mix.”

Details on the shortlist of six were being kept under wraps, but all were in Taranaki.

Port of Taranaki chief executive Simon Craddock said it was a great opportunity for the region, and while the port was not an LNG developer, it was keen to support it.

“The current terminal developments, as I understand it, are all focused on the Taranaki region, and the reason for that is largely proximity to the Maui gas pipeline. But the developers are international companies who may or may not partner with local interests.”

Port of Taranaki chief executive Simon Craddock. Tom Roberton / 2015

Craddock said there was nothing the port had seen that could have major adverse effects on its current trade.

“The port has a number of advantages… the proximity to the pipeline, we’re the only deep water port on the West Coast. So this is the sort of thing we do day to day, where our main customer to-date has been Methanex. We also have other petrochemical customers on the port, so it really is within our core business suite.”

ACT’s energy spokesperson Simon Court said it was a “sad but necessary bookend” to the oil and gas exploration ban.

“Labour promoted the view that gas is something to be ashamed of. It’s not. Gas is a practical, reliable option when hydro lakes are low. Gas keeps factories running, heaters humming, and lights buzzing. And the environmental case for gas is strong too, because when we can’t burn gas, we burn coal,” he said.

‘It’s cooked’ – Green Party

On Monday, Watts said discussions were commercially sensitive but it would cost “north of a billion dollars” to build.

To pay for those infrastructure costs, the government will charge users an electricity levy of $2 to $4 per megawatt hour.

But Watts was keen to point to the net benefit, with advice showing the facility was expected to cut future prices by at least $10 per megawatt hour.

“So straight away, we’re in the money in regards to benefits versus costs, and our expectation of having that certainty of supply takes away the price spikes that we saw, for example, in 2024.”

That has not convinced the Green Party.

Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the government was guaranteeing added costs to New Zealanders, while relying on “hopes, wishes, and prayers” for future savings.

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. RNZ / Reece Baker

“I think it’s absolutely bonkers for power bills, for the planet, for our country’s energy resilience. The only people who want this are the fossil fuel industry and seemingly the National Party. Whatever claim, whatever remaining claim the Nats have to being economic managers is now, frankly, up in flames,” she said.

“Honestly, it’s cooked. Christopher Luxon has once again chosen to throw New Zealanders’ money at fossil fuels, which is bad for power bills, energy security and the planet. This is Christopher Luxon’s New Zealand. Profits are flowing offshore, while New Zealanders are paying handsomely for it.”

[h]’Gas tax’ – Labour

Labour, meanwhile, is calling it a “gas tax”.

Leader Chris Hipkins said households were already struggling with the cost of living, and he did not believe it would reduce power prices.

“I think, if anything, they’re trying to make the argument that this will decrease the rate of increase in power prices. There are other ways to do that. A billion dollars would buy you a hell of a lot of solar panels and batteries, which would save households a significant amount of money.”

Hipkins dismissed questions over whether Labour would terminate any agreements, or put the costs onto the energy companies and take away the levy on households, as “hypothetical.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The prime minister’s assertion it was a levy, and not a tax, was criticised by the Taxpayers’ Union.

“You don’t make electricity bills cheaper by taxing them. Dancing on the head of a pin over what is a tax and what is a levy is a Labour Party talking point. Luxon should spare us the spin and abandon this folly,” said spokesperson James Ross.

Climate change advocacy group 350 Aotearoa was previously one of twenty signatories that sent an open letter to Luxon and Watts, urging against the new terminal when it was first signalled in October.

Following the confirmation, co-director Alva Feldmeier said while she agreed with the government that New Zealanders were feeling the squeeze with their power bills, the terminal was not the solution.

“Essentially, what they’re doing now is putting a new tax on every New Zealander’s power bill to subsidise an expensive sunset industry,” she said.

Feldmeier said LNG-generated electricity was double the price of new renewable electricity, and the risk of importing and being reliant on international fossil fuels was that New Zealand could also import international price shocks.

“This is a political choice this government is making. They’d rather kowtow to the fossil fuel and the gas lobbies and keep us hooked on gas for longer, than explore how we’re going to get off it, and how we’re going to make some tough decisions in the next few months and years.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/new-liquified-natural-gas-terminal-vital-or-bonkers/

February 10, 2026

School: Is redshirting best for your child?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Redshirting: delaying the start of formal schooling for (a child) by one year, typically to avoid a situation in which the child is among the youngest in their class.

That’s the Oxford dictionary definition of a term you might have seen floating around social media recently. It stems from a sports term where a coach holds an athlete back from competition levels to develop their skills in the hopes that they will excel.

The chat on social media from parents, mostly overseas in the US and Australia, is that delaying your child’s school start by a year or so, especially boys, will help them excel academically and socially.

Starting school late can mean keeping their children longer at early learning centres for some parents.

123RF

?

In New Zealand, children typically start school on or after their fifth birthday, with some schools choosing to do cohort entry where multiple new students start at set dates throughout the year. However, children legally have to be in some sort of formal schooling by age six – a physical school, homeschool or one of the growing number of online schools. This gives parents 12 months of wiggle room to keep their child at home or in an early learning centre for longer.

There is limited data on what age New Zealand’s children start school and whether there is a trend towards delaying the start of school. In the Australian state of Queensland, the percentage of children with a delayed school start has more than doubled between 2014 and 2024, from 4.9 percent to 12 percent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. US data shows a fluctuation year-on-year for redshirting.

Every year, Lucy Naylor, the principal of Millford School in Auckland, notices one or two parents who delay the start of school for their child.

“I certainly wouldn’t say it is a trend. It isn’t something that has spiked.

“The ones that we have that choose to delay have a very legit reason…”

This might include learning difficulties, behavioural challenges or even severe food allergies.

A mother of a neurodiverse child who also runs an Auckland-based support group for parents says most of the parents she knows delay school start for their neurodiverse students. Often, it’s to give their children more development time before a big change or that a school is not ready to accommodate the child’s unique needs.

Pari Sabetian, an educational psychologist who lives in Auckland, delayed the start of her two daughters’ formal learning without delaying the start of school by sending them to a Steiner school. A key tenet of the Steiner education philosophy is that children learn more through self-directed play until the age of seven, which is more inline with Sabetian’s native Bolivia, where children start school at age six.

Her daughters are now 13 and 15, and it is a decision she doesn’t regret.

“Four-year-olds, five-year-olds, they need to be running, climbing trees, making castles, digging holes in the sand, looking at birds, you know, touching leaves or whatever. They need to be doing … something with their hands.”

What does the evidence say about redshirting?

There is mixed evidence if an older school start age has any long-term benefits, so delaying school start can simply be avoiding a challenging but inevitable transition, says Dr Karen Harris, a senior lecturer in education psychology at Massey University.

“It is really hard, and of course, every single parent is just wanting to do the best for their child.

“So when you’re seeing lots of messaging like that, absolutely, everyone stops and thinks, ‘Oh, what’s this about? Is this something I need to think about? Is this something I should be doing?’”

Dr Karen Harris a senior lecturer in educational psychology from Massey University.

supplied

Researching the topic is difficult, and any bias in research likely has a “socioeconomic gradient” given that wealthier families are in a better position to pay early education fees or stay out of the workforce longer, says Dr Michael Johnston, a cognitive psychologist and senior fellow from the New Zealand Initiative.

Studies that looked at this issue often found an increase in math and literacy results in the short-term, “but that tends to wash out quite quickly, actually, [and] certainly by the time they’re teenagers and adults,” he says.

Boys can have a more difficult adjustment period because there are expectations that come more naturally to many young girls, including sitting still and being quiet, says Johnston.

Parents who spruik the benefits of redshirting often hold up Scandinavian countries like Finland, where children start at age seven, as a model. And yes, Finland has historically had a reputation for an outstanding school system, but their international ranking has slipped in the last two decades, says Johnston.

On the flip-side, the research shows no disadvantage to starting school late, according to Johnston.

Harris from Massey University pointed to potential social disadvantages if a child’s friends were progressing to school and the disruption of those relationships.

And New Zealand schools and teachers are much better incorporating play-based learning into those younger years, Harris added.

“They’re not suddenly being asked to obviously, you know, sit at desks in a row and all.”

Dr Michael Johnston, a Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative.

Supplied

What about neurodiverse children?

It’s complex but “in general, if a kid has a disability, it’s a disadvantage to start school later, it would seem from the data,” says Johnston.

Despite the experience of some parents with neurodiverse children – autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc – schools should be able to assist parents in organising support, he says.

However, that experience can differ greatly depending on the school due to a stretched education system, says Harris.

With situations like ADHD and dyslexia, teachers often have a role in identifying indicators potentially leading to early intervention, says Johnston.

“If they’ve started school younger and it’s picked up earlier because of that, that’s probably a helpful thing.”

However, this can increase the risk of a misdiagnosis and an unnecessary Ritalin prescription.

“Now, that misdiagnosis is less likely to occur if they start school older because they’re more mature, and so kind of their normal behaviour is less likely to be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.

Harris, the educational psychologist from Massey University, recommends the following points to make the school transition as smooth as possible:

Build a positive picture of school by looking at picture books, sharing your positive memories and answering questions honestly.
Get to know the school and people by going to new-entrant visits and introducing your child to key adults at the school, including office staff and principal.
Practise everyday independence, such as looking after their own belongings, self-care, including toileting and putting on shoes, and food routines like showing what items are for a snack and for lunch.
Build social and emotional readiness by practising simple games that have rules, helping your child verbally express their feelings and creating calming strategies like deep breathing and drinking enough water.
Establish calm routines, such as moving gradually towards a “school day” schedule, including bedtime and wake-up times.
Stay connected by informing your teacher of your child’s strengths and interests, and passing on information and reports from early childhood teachers.
Look after yourself too by keeping farewells short and calm, and connecting with other parents whose kids are heading off to school.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/school-is-redshirting-best-for-your-child/

February 10, 2026

Super Rugby Pacific preview: The Hurricanes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Super Rugby Pacific is back after a real return to form last year, with the competition kicking off in Dunedin on 13 February. As usual, each team has gone through an eventful off season, so today we’re checking in on the Hurricanes.

Read: Highlanders preview

Read: Moana Pasifika preview

Read: Blues preview

Overview

Coach Clark Laidlaw of the Hurricanes Masanori Udagawa / PHOTOSPORT

Last season saw the Canes smashed with injuries, most notably at first five. That hampered their start but after shifting Ruben Love to the 10 jersey, Clark Laidlaw’s side underwent a massive uptick in form and won their last five games to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, it meant a trip to Canberra to play the Brumbies – the one fixture that always seems to end in defeat for the Canes.

The Good

Japan’s Warner Dearns waves to spectators after the rugby union test match against the All Blacks at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, on October 26, 2024. AFP

Recruitment has been impressive, most notably big lock Warner Dearns coming over from Japan to add even more to an already effective set piece. Josh Moorby returns from a short stint in France, while Asafo Aumua is back to hopefully pick up where he left off before getting injured.

However, the biggest name in the lineup is Jordie Barrett, back after a season in Ireland.

The Bad

Cam Roigard of the Hurricanes celebrates a try. Masanori Udagawa / PHOTOSPORT

The Canes will be heavily reliant on Cam Roigard, with daylight between him and his replacements. Fingers will be crossed all around the capital that Roigard can avoid what seems to be a yearly injury, because that will necessitate an entire change of gameplan.

Big boots to fill

Ruben Love scores and motions to the fans in the Zoo during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Michael Thomas/ActionPress

Brett Cameron and Love will contend for the first five position, although Love hardly did himself any favours when he failed to fire a shot in a preseason loss to the Chiefs. Whoever ends up there is between Roigard and Barrett, so potentially three massive stars in a row if Love gets the nod or an efficient game manager in Cameron to compliment the others.

What makes Hurricanes fans different

Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes) with a fan. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

As patrons of the country’s most divisive stadium, Hurricanes fans really need something given this season marks 10 long years since their one and only title. As per usual, the players are all there, the capital will provide the weather that other teams hate playing in – but it always just feels like the Canes will have to rely on other teams losing or some ridiculous run of luck to make something happen.

Big games

This is where is gets good for the Canes, because this year they have a really friendly draw. Their first six games are all very winnable before they run into the Blues, after that their derby matches are punctuated by Australian teams. They do face the Crusaders twice in their last five games though, so making sure they’re near the top of the table by then is key.

Hurricanes 2026 squad

Props: Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason

Locks: Caleb Delany, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tom Allen, Warner Dearns

Loose forwards: Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai

Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Jordi Viljeon

First fives: Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Harry Godfrey*, Callum Harkin

Midfield: Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Jordie Barrett, Josh Timu, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan

Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/super-rugby-pacific-preview-the-hurricanes/

February 10, 2026

Coroner says Highlanders player Connor Garden-Bachop died of natural causes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Connor Garden-Bachop (centre) of the Highlanders is tackled by Jordan Petaia (left) and Jock Campbell (right) of the Reds during the Super Rugby Pacific 2024. PHOTOSPORT

Highlanders and Māori All Blacks player Connor Garden-Bachop died suddenly of natural causes, a coroner has found.

The 25-year-old was found in bed while staying with family in Christchurch on 17 June 2024.

In findings released on Tuesday, coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale said a post-mortem examination found Garden-Bachop had a mildly dilated heart.

“Death can occur when the heart develops an abnormal heartbeat, then stops,” the report said.

Garden-Bachop had suffered “episodic concussion” during his professional rugby career, most recently a month before he died.

Forensic pathologist Dr Leslie Anderson had considered the possibility that Garden-Bachop had a seizure.

“Seizures cannot be observed on post mortem examination. However, Dr Anderson stated that with no seizure history – and an abnormal heart – a seizure as the sole cause of death was less likely,” the report said.

Garden-Bachop’s death was also referred to the cardiac inherited disease group to assess whether genetic factors caused the “sudden cardiac death”.

Coroner Borrowdale said no genetic abnormality or cause was found.

Garden-Bachop made his Highlanders debut in 2021 and played 36 games for the franchise between 2021 and 2024.

The fullback/wing also played provincial rugby for Canterbury and Wellington after attending Wellington’s Scots College.

Garden-Bachop also made two appearances for the Māori All Blacks in 2022.

His father Stephen Bachop and uncle Graeme Bachop played for the All Blacks in the 1990s.

His mother Sue Garden-Bachop, who died of cancer in 2009, played for the Black Ferns.

Garden-Bachop’s brother Jackson was preparing to line up for a second Super Rugby campaign with Moana Pasifika this season.

In a statement, Jackson said the whānau was pleased the final coroner’s report had been completed.

“On behalf of the family we’d like to thank everyone for the continued love and support in relation to Connor,” he said. “We miss Connor every day, and will continue to try and honour and emulate all that he was in the way we live our lives.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/coroner-says-highlanders-player-connor-garden-bachop-died-of-natural-causes/

February 10, 2026

WorkSafe to revisit Mt Albert Aquatic Centre after two hydroslide injuries

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. Supplied / Community Leisure Management

WorkSafe says it intends to revisit an Auckland aquatic centre after two people were injured on a hydroslide.

It said it was first notified after a man was injured at the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre in late December.

Less than a week later, a 12-year-old boy was hurt.

WorkSafe said improvements had been made when its inspector visited the centre two days after the man was injured.

A spokesperson said an inspector would go back to the aquatic centre this month.

Auckland Council said the slide had been inspected twice within the last six months. Head of service partner delivery, Garth Dawson, said the council would continue to work with operator Community Leisure Management and the slide manufacturer to ensure it was safe.

Community Leisure Management’s director Kirsty Knowles said it was improving signs at the hydroslide.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/worksafe-to-revisit-mt-albert-aquatic-centre-after-two-hydroslide-injuries/

February 10, 2026

‘A cascade of errors’: Johnathon Taituma died after St John ambulance delays, coroner finds

Source: Radio New Zealand

By the time an ambulance got to Johnathon Taituma, 43, about an hour and 40 minutes after his initial 111 call, he was dead. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

He called 111 struggling to breathe.

But by the time an ambulance got to Johnathon Taituma, 43, about an hour and 40 minutes later, he was dead after what a coroner said was a cascade of errors.

It was not just Taituma who called for help.

His neighbour did too after he went to her for help still struggling to breathe.

Both times a wrong priority was recorded.

Now, an associate coroner has urged St John audit itself to see if the delay was an aberration of care, or if they were happening in other cases as well.

They had also referred the botched callout to the Health and Disability Commissioner.

St John said an audit was underway along with several other steps, and said it was deeply sorry and that it had committed to change when it fell short.

What happened

Two weeks before Christmas in 2024, Johnathon Taituma rang 111 from his Manurewa address – he said he was alone and having trouble breathing.

He was assigned an ‘ORANGE2’ priority, a level Associate Coroner James Buckle said was wrong.

It should have been ‘RED2’ and would have meant an ambulance would have arrived an estimated five minutes after dispatch.

But there was no dispatch, and no ambulance was assigned.

Taituma made his 111 call at 4.35pm.

About nine minutes later he went to his neighbour’s back door repeatedly hitting his chest, struggling to breathe and trying to take in large amounts of air.

He asked the neighbour to call an ambulance and told her he had already called one and had collapsed.

At about 4.47pm the neighbour made the call and it was identified that Taituma had earlier called himself and collapsed and that he was still struggling to breathe.

His case was not re-triaged, and he remained on the ORANGE2 priority.

Associate Coroner Buckle said the neighbour’s information showed Taituma deteriorated since his earlier call and he should have been re-triaged.

If that had happened, he said, he would have been given a RED priority in the least.

An orange priority is for a callout that appeared serious but not life-threatening, with an ambulance sent as soon as possible at normal speed.

A red priority is for something immediately life-threatening, with an ambulance or ambulances dispatched straight away under lights and siren.

When Taituma made his call he was told help was being arranged.

His neighbour was told the same, but the associate coroner said this was wrong.

“As with the first phone call, Initial Assign was not launched and an ambulance was not dispatched,” they said in findings released on Tuesday.

Taituma and his neighbour stayed together for 10-20 minutes.

He got up and walked home.

Standard St John operating procedures required welfare checks every 30 minutes “on all active emergency ambulance incidents”.

If there is no contact, then time is re-set to five minutes.

If three consecutive welfare checks are unsuccessful, the case is escalated to a a Clinical Support Officer.

The associate coroner said three attempts were made to contact Taituma, the first some 51 minutes after he called 111.

Another was 39 minutes after the neighbour’s own 111 call.

No contact was made with Taituma on the first call and follow-up calls, while timely, were made outside the five-minute timeframe.

There was no evidence suggesting St John tried to contact the neighbour, Buckle said.

There was also no evidence the case was sent up to a Clinical Support Officer.

An ambulance was dispatched at 6.05pm.

At 6.15pm, the neighbour went to Taituma’s home and found him lying face down in the living room.

She looked for a pulse and rang 111 again three minutes later.

Ambulance staff reached him by 6.22, he was not breathing and had no pulse.

The crew could not resuscitate him.

It would later be found he died from an acute coronary embolus.

St John says a review of call-handling errors resulting in adverse events of a year-long period found a “trend of errors”. 123rf

The coroner could not say what the chances of Taituma surviving were if crews had turned up sooner to treat him with electric shock.

“Therefore, I cannot be satisfied that the cascade of errors by Hato Hone St John caused Mr Taituma’s death,” Associate Coroner Buckle said.

“Neither can I be satisfied that they contributed to his death.”

The associate coroner said despite this, it was appropriate he made recommendations to reduce the chances of further deaths.

“This is because the chances of survival in cases of heart attacks are significantly increased by the timely attendance of, and treatment by, ambulance staff and dealing with the errors that arose in Mr Taituma’s case will increase the chances of timely attendance and treatment,” he said.

Part of a trend

The associate coroner asked St John what remedial action had been taken, if any.

It replied a review of call-handling errors resulting in adverse events of a year-long period found a “trend of errors”.

This was in the management of subsequent calls and welfare checks, it said.

“Subsequently, there is ongoing consideration of recommendations to minimise these errors in the future,” St John told the Associate Coroner.

“Additionally, new educational platforms have been introduced imbed [sic] learnings from reviews for continued professional development.”

The associate coroner said they were satisfied St John was moving to avoid a repeat.

“However, I also have concerns about the welfare checks made by Hato Hone St John,” Buckle said in his findings.

“A welfare check was made by calling Mr Taituma approximately 51 minutes after he first rung Hato Hone St John.”

The call was made 30 minutes after the neighbour’s first phone call, he said, noting it was outside of the 30-minute timeframe in St John’s procedures.

“This could be explained by staff dealing with other calls and not being available in the mandated 30-minute timeframe, which would be an understandable and reasonable explanation,” the associate coroner said.

“However, the purpose of the calls seems to be to contact either the patient or someone that can speak for the patient … the welfare calls that were made do not seem to have fulfilled their purpose.”

The associate coroner recommended St John audit its welfare check phone calls with a view to finding out whether the delay in calling Taituma back was an aberration or whether there were delays in other cases.

They also said the audit should determine if the current system was fulfilling its purpose.

“If Hato Hone St John establishes that there are systemic issues causing delays in contacting patients then they should identify those systemic issues and rectify them,” the associate coroner said.

The associate coroner said there was an arguable case St John breached the Code of Health and Disability Consumer’s Rights by not giving Taituma “an appropriate standard of care”.

“In the circumstances I am satisfied that it is appropriate to refer the matter to the Health and Disability Commissioner,” he said.

St John responds

St John told RNZ it extended sincere condolences to Taituma’s whānau and that it would address any systemic issues found.

“When we fall short, we are committed to learning, improving, and making necessary changes to better support our patients and communities,” John-Michael Swannix said, St John’s integrated operations manager for primary triage and dispatch.

“We reiterate how deeply sorry we are to Mr Taituma’s family and acknowledge the neighbour who tried to help. We remain committed to improving our processes so people across Aotearoa can continue to trust the care they receive when they call for help.”

Swannix said St John accepted the Associate Coroner’s findings and recommendations.

It said it had undertaken a number of steps:

A review and individual coaching with the emergency call handlers and dispatchers involved in the incident.
Introducing new training platforms using anonymous case studies to embed learnings into ongoing professional development.
Reviewing follow-up calls and welfare checks, testing new scripts and processes to improve situation awareness and recognition of deterioration.
Updating national standard operating procedures in partnership with Wellington Free Ambulance to ensure consistent practice across the country.
Increased paramedics to review incidents waiting for dispatch to mitigate risk to patients.

St John said it was auditing welfare checks to see if delays in Taituma’s case were isolated or systemic, in line with the associate coroner’s recommendations.

This would also look at whether current processes were effective.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/a-cascade-of-errors-johnathon-taituma-died-after-st-john-ambulance-delays-coroner-finds/

February 10, 2026

Court to hear from lawyers who would have represented Christchurch terrorist

Source: Radio New Zealand

March 2019 massacres happened at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The Court of Appeal will hear from the lawyers who would have represented Brenton Tarrant if he went to trial.

The 35-year-old white supremacist is seeking to overturn his guilty pleas for the March 2019 massacres at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.

He now claims he only pleaded guilty as he was irrational due to the solitary nature of his prison conditions.

The court heard the terrorist told his then-lawyers that he always intended to plead guilty.

But the terrorist disputed that, telling the court he planned on representing himself at trial and running his own defence.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/court-to-hear-from-lawyers-who-would-have-represented-christchurch-terrorist/

February 10, 2026

More than 700 Education Ministry staff to try win back lost pay following partial strike

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZEI spokesperson Conor Fraser says the union sought an injunction last year to stop the deduction but failed. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

More than 700 Education Ministry staff who work with disabled children will try to win back the pay they lost during a partial strike last year.

The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) said members working in the ministry’s learning support area lost 10 percent of their pay because they refused to take on new cases or work beyond their contracted hours for about three-and-a-half weeks.

NZEI spokesperson Conor Fraser said the union sought an injunction last year to stop the deduction but failed.

She said the penalty did not feel fair.

“It was just such an over-reach by the ministry when we’re just trying to look after ourselves and do the best we can in our jobs,” she said.

“They were saying we were refusing to do our contracted duties but the reality is for a lot of people working in learning support at the moment we are so far over our capacity and it’s not fair when we feel like we’re not doing the best in our jobs because we’re just over-worked and people are burning out.”

Fraser said NZEI would on Monday ask the Employment Court to order full reimbursement of the deducted money so that its members were not out-of-pocket.

“For some people it was a really significant amount… to lose 10 percent of your pay, it just had a real impact and the stress on some people was really unwarranted at a time when we were really trying to be vocal for how much help we need to fix this system so that our kids have a better time in education,” she said.

Fraser said the affected staff included speech language therapists, physiotherapists and special education advisors.

She said their refusal to take on new cases allowed NZEI members to focus on the children they were already working with and did not result in members working less than their contracted hours.

Fraser said its members’ collective agreement had still not been settled.

The Education Ministry said it was not appropriate to comment on the substance of the case while it was before the court.

However, it said new partial strike provisions provided for deductions to be made from pay, and the Ministry applied the standard 10 percent deduction provided for in the legislation.

NZEI said the hearing was scheduled for four days.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/more-than-700-education-ministry-staff-to-try-win-back-lost-pay-following-partial-strike/

February 9, 2026

District Court Judge Ema Aitken denies shouting during disruption of NZ First event at exclusive club

Source: Radio New Zealand

District Court Judge Ema Aitken at the Judicial Conduct Panel on Monday. Finn Blackwell / RNZ

A lawyer has told a Judicial Conduct Panel removing a judge is done to protect the judiciary, as the inquiry into acusations a District Court Judge disrupted a New Zealand First event begins.

Judge Ema Aitken was appearing before a Judicial Conduct Panel in Auckland on Monday, accused of disrupting a function at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club in 2024.

She was accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying.

Judge Aitken said she didn’t shout, didn’t recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and didn’t know it was a political event.

Presenting the allegations of misconduct to the panel, Special Counsel Tim Stephens KC said the panel was responsible for reporting on the Judge’s conduct, finding the facts, and ultimately recommending if the Judge should be removed.

Special counsel Tim Stephens KC (left) and Jonathan Orpin-Dowell (right). Finn Blackwell / RNZ

He noted it would not be up to the panel to remove the Judge.

“Whether to remove the Judge is a decision for the acting Attorney General and not the panel,” Stephens said.

“But the attorney is only able to remove the judge if the panel concludes that consideration of removal is justified in the panel’s opinion.”

Stephens said the removal of a judge was not a disciplinary matter.

“It’s not a punitive or disciplinary measure,” he said.

“Rather, its function is protective, it protects public confidence in the judicial system, it protects the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary.”

It came down to a matter of fitness for office, Stephens said.

The Judicial Conduct Panel, (right to left) Hon Jillian Mallon, Hon Brendan Brown KC and Sir Jerry Mateparae. Finn Blackwell / RNZ

He spoke about the legislative history and grounds that formed the basis for considering removal of a judge, including existing legislation from Australia.

“My overall submission in terms of the law is that the panel may form the opinion that consideration of removal is justified,” Stephens said.

“If that’s met, the panel may form that opinion, if the attorney, acting lawfully and in accordance with the purposes of the Act, could conclude that removal was an available outcome.”

Late on Monday, the panel heard argument from Judge Aitken’s lawyer David Jones KC, who took issue with what he described as undisclosed evidence, which took the panel through to the end of the day’s hearing.

“The conduct to date has shown that as far as the end result is concerned, and if that’s a brief of evidence, so be it, there could be other material that qualifies that evidence,” he said.

“And that is something that needs to be disclosed in the interests of a fair hearing and natural justice for someone who is fighting for their judicial career.”

The panel and counsel were expected to visit the Northern Club as part of a site visit on Tuesday.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/district-court-judge-ema-aitken-denies-shouting-during-disruption-of-nz-first-event-at-exclusive-club/

February 9, 2026

Doctors recommend pregnant women avoid retinoids. What’s the evidence?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Being pregnant comes with a minefield of advice from doctors, midwives, well-meaning friends and family, not to mention social media and other mums.

There are foods you’re recommended to avoid, and medications that aren’t approved. But skincare is less clear: some products are fine whereas others are not recommended.

The family of ingredients known as retinoids, for example, are booming in popularity in skincare products but there is conflicting advice on their safety for pregnant women.

Retinoids are commonly used to treat acne.

Barbara Krysztofiak/Unsplash

?

Retinoids is an umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives that treat all manner of skin concerns from acne to wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation.

“They’re pretty much the gold standard skincare ingredients because they work for so many things,” says Michelle Wong, a chemist and science communicator based in Sydney.

Retinoids come in different forms.

The most potent are prescription-only acne treatment drugs such as isotretinon, which is taken orally, and tretinoin which is applied to the skin to treat severe acne.

Then there are pharmacist-only products containing adapalene, and a range of “over-the-counter” retinoids such as retinal and retinol which are in topical creams applied to the skin at much lower concentrations.

It’s widely accepted that oral retinoids are not safe for pregnant women and may cause birth defects — and that is labelled clearly on the packaging and drug information leaflets. Prescription-only and pharmacist-only topical retinoids also carry warnings.

But what about over-the-counter (OTC) topical retinoid products?

Confusing advice for pregnant women

NSW Health’s Mothersafe, a service for mothers run by NSW Health, says OTC creams are safe for pregnant women to use because they are applied topically and contain smaller doses, but advises against the use of prescription topical treatments.

Wong agrees.

“Looking at standard retinol products on the market, it should be safe for pregnancy, as long as people are not using it in weird ways,” she says.

But many health practitioners advise against using any type of topical retinoid.

Laura Gerhady, a maternal fetal medicine specialist who studies the effects of medication in pregnancy says there is insufficient research to make clear determinations for the use of topical retinoids during pregnancy.

“Part of that is because most people using topical retinoids will be using them for conditions that are not vital to treat during pregnancy, things like acne.”

There are no mandatory standards for labelling cosmetic skincare products containing retinoids such as retinal and retinol. The only non-prescription topical products that require labelling are those containing adapalene. These products were recently downgraded from prescription-only and made available as behind-the-counter products in pharmacies.

Gerhardy says there isn’t clear labelling because there isn’t a specific guideline on what is and isn’t safe.

“For [all] topical retinoids, the message is that we don’t have great information, but if you use it, it’s probably fine.

“To communicate that in a single sentence on packaging is quite difficult. It is straightforward with oral retinoids — they are certainly harmful in pregnancies.

“But topical is more challenging because we just don’t have the data,” she says.

As research about both prescription and OTC topical retinoids is limited, guidance from health practitioners is typically interchangeable.

Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist at Liverpool Hospital says he advises his pregnant patients to avoid using all retinoids — including retinol — as a precaution.

“Much like alcohol, the safest choice would be to avoid retinol in pregnancy but the absolute risk is low,” he says.

Likewise, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that even though the amount absorbed by the body is low, neither prescription nor OTC products are recommended.

What happens if you accidentally use a topical retinoid while pregnant?

Wong says pregnant women who may have used topical retinoids without knowing should not be alarmed.

“Topical retinoids are generally not recommended during pregnancy but it’s not worth panicking about if you accidentally use it once or twice,” she says.

“If applied topically, the amount of product that would enter your system would be quite low.

“Including from prescription creams,” she says, but adds: “There’s still a hierarchy of risk though. For example, tretinoin is the riskiest one.”

A large Nordic study published last year found that while the use of topical retinoids had significantly increased over the past 20 years, there was no evidence of increased risk of birth defects in babies exposed to topical retinoids during pregnancy.

While the authors say those findings are “the strongest evidence to date on the safety of topical retinoids during pregnancy”, they also acknowledge their study may underestimate the risk and more research is needed.

If you are thinking about using topical retinoid products, speak to your healthcare practitioner for advice.

Other skincare ingredients to look out for

Sebaratnam recommends avoiding minoxidil (a hair growth formula) and hydroquinone, which treats dark spots.

“Most other over-the-counter beauty products are probably safe,” he says.

“But mums need to weigh up whether they really need to be using them or not.”

Other products Wong recommends watching out for are online products that might be unregulated or high doses of salicylic acid, a cleanser that is also a chemical exfoliator.

Mothersafe NSW says salicylic acid is safe for use in smaller doses, however “quantities of salicylic acid absorbed may be higher in specific situations so safety of use should be confirmed with MotherSafe or your healthcare provider”.

Wong also cautions against using beauty products bought online that don’t have verified information.

“I would be cautious about those sorts of products that are really cheap and too good to be true,” Wong says.

For most pregnant women, the safest approach is to stick with simplicity; use well-regulated products, and speak to your healthcare practitioner.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/doctors-recommend-pregnant-women-avoid-retinoids-whats-the-evidence/

February 9, 2026

Waioweka Gorge reopens with guide vehicles in place

Source: Radio New Zealand

One of the slips that blocked SH2 through the Waioweka Gorge following torrential rain. Supplied

Traffic’s on the move again though the Waioweka Gorge – slowly – via a single lane and with a guide vehicle.

The chunk of State Highway two between Ōpōtiki and Mātāwai has been closed for more than two weeks, with 40 worksites along the road including eight spots with severe damage due to slips and flooding.

From Monday, a convoy is operating three times a day in both directions; that is Gisborne bound and Ōpōtiki bound.

Pilot vehicles are leading the way and controlling the speed.

NZTA’s warning its only for people who need to travel and the highway could close at short notice if conditions change.

Waioweka Gorge resident, farmer Anne Redpath hasn’t been unable to go far with the road largely off limits.

She told Checkpoint the convoy was good news.

“It means it’s quite safe and we are not going to interfere with any work that’s being done.”

She has been travelling by tractor, foot and her push bike.

“I have to push [the push bike] through the mud,” she said.

Redpath has not had a car for two weeks due to damage to road access, alongside many others.

She has lived on the farm for 40 years and said she just accepted the slip and flood damage as part of life.

“That’s all about you can do and in this situation, no building were damaged, no people were hurt, just farm roads and tracks and fences and that sort of thing.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/waioweka-gorge-reopens-with-guide-vehicles-in-place/

February 9, 2026

Dirtbike dangers raised as 3yo suffers facial injuries after father crashes in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dirt bikes have become a menace on some New Zealand streets. Photo / File Coopersgrl / Reddit

A three-year-old child has suffered severe facial injuries after his father crashed while doubling him on a dirt bike in Northland, police say.

The crash has highlighted the danger of dirt bikes being used on city streets – and an alarming trend of riders taking young children for high-speed joyrides, almost always without helmets.

Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, area prevention manager for Mid North police, said the Kaikohe crash involved a three-year-old boy and his father.

The child was seriously hurt and the 22-year-old rider was facing child welfare and driving charges.

Armstrong said the child was being doubled at the time of the crash.

He was unable to say more given that the case was now before the courts.

RNZ understands the child’s injuries included a broken jaw and facial lacerations.

Dirt bikes were a problem in Kaikohe in particular, but there were also regular incidents in Whangārei – including the death of a rider in March last year – and in Auckland, where a group of about 40 bikes sped across fields where children were playing sport on 1 February.

“A big problem is the fact that a lot of these bikes are not warranted. They’re not registered, they’re not roadworthy. The riders themselves are not licensed, and some of the driving behaviour is just dangerous, reckless and unruly,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, of Mid North police, says dirt bike riders are putting children in serious danger by taking them joy riding on city streets. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

“There’s no consideration for members of the public and other road users, and it’s just a huge safety concern for us. I’ve seen first-hand people who have been seriously hurt, and the absolute last thing we want is for somebody to lose their life as a result of this sort of stuff.”

An alarming trend involved riders taking young children as passengers.

“A lot of the bikes that we come across, they don’t have brakes, they don’t have tread on the tyres. So there’s just so many risks, ultimately it will lead to more people being seriously hurt.”

A Kaikohe resident, who did want to be named for fear of retribution, said dirt bikes tore past his home frequently.

They created noise and nuisance and the riders put themselves at risk by pulling wheelies in traffic, but it was the danger to small children that made him “deeply, deeply anxious”.

“Parents, mothers and fathers alike, will take a little, tiny baby for a ride down the street, and the child is sitting in front of them, with no restraints,” he said.

“They’re doing at least 50k, if not more, and the child thinks it’s an absolutely wonderful thing. But they have no idea what would happen if they suddenly hit something. They would just go flying like a bag of cement and have to be scraped off the road 20 metres ahead.”

That has already happened with the severely injured three-year-old, he said.

“That still hasn’t stopped them. You still see it. Those small children don’t have an opportunity to say, ‘No, this is dangerous, and I don’t want to do it’. And parents are giving them what they think is a good time.”

Armstrong said no particular age group was involved, and many of the riders fancied themselves as experts.

“A lot of them, in their own minds, believe they’re really good riders, but a lot of the time they’re actually poor. They don’t have the knowledge or experience, and they haven’t gone through any sort of proper learning.”

Armstrong said police took the offending seriously and would hold people to account through the courts, with tools such as CCTV used to identify offenders.

Bikes could be impounded for 28 days up to six months.

Any rider signalled to stop should do so, because fleeing could lead to charges of dangerous driving or failing to stop.

Consequences for those who stopped could be less severe, such as education.

Armstrong said thrill-seeking was often their motivation, and many had no access to bike tracks or other places to ride so they took to streets and footpaths.

“They may think it’s a fun thing to do, but it’s not fun when we’re dealing with seriously injured people, especially kids,” he said.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/dirtbike-dangers-raised-as-3yo-suffers-facial-injuries-after-father-crashes-in-northland/

February 9, 2026

Concerns about increased ‘nangs’ use in Hawkes Bay being aimed at young people

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cartridge of nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas or nangs, can cause serious health problems. AFP/ GARO

A significant jump in the recreational use of nitrous oxide, or nangs, has community leaders worried, with claims big canisters of the gas are being marketed to children.

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas, known as laughing gas, which is used as a painkiller in medical and dental procedures.

It is also used in catering to make whipped cream.

If inhaled recreationally nangs can have dangerous long-term side effects like nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord.

Under the Psychoactive Substances Act it’s illegal to sell the product for recreational use.

In recent weeks, dozens of the discarded canisters have started turning up in the Hawke’s Bay prompting a crisis meeting.

Stewart Whyte of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga called the hui and told Checkpoint they were made aware of the issue through a retailer in the area.

“We just got a contact through one of the retailers here that actually works with oxygen bottles for dive supplies and things like that… and he had collected quite a few apple bins [worth] over a short period of time.”

A 1.6 litre cannister of nitrous oxide. Photo / File Supplied

Whyte said the largest canisters they had found had been around the size of a large thermos flask.

“They’re marketed in such a way that they’re very colourful and obviously aimed at young people. They certainly don’t look like industrial canisters for making whipped cream.”

While medical grade nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen, Whyte said these canisters are purely nitrous oxide, making them extremely dangerous.

“These big canisters, I believe, have about 300 hits within each one.”

Whyte is worried the problem is bigger than what anyone is anticipating.

“It seems to me that it’s gone under the radar for quite a long period of time. I think the use of this particular substance though has spiked. Certainly the evidence of the empty canisters turning up at this company would be evidence of that.”

“There are huge side effects, quite dangerous to people’s health for the use of this product. So it is quite concerning.”

He said with evidence that nangs have contributed to fatalities on the roads, it is clear the gas is already affecting whanau.

“There is impacts already that can evidence people have been seriously hurt, the nervous system’s damaged, people have been blacking out for 30 minutes or longer,”

“While it might be a short-term, 30-second hit for a young person, what we need to do really quite clearly and quickly is to inform our community that these products are out there and at the moment they’re readily available through retail outlets with very little law to protect our young people from the danger that they present.”

A meeting with community leaders was held two weeks ago to discuss the issue.

Whyte said leaders landed on a two-step approach to addressing their concerns.

“One is educating and informing our community of the danger of this particular product. The second one is to try and get our retailers together that are offering this product to see if there’s a willingness for them to not supply it.”

“That would be the best outcome that we could achieve.”

He said they also want politicians to look at the law around selling nitrous oxide, banning it from dairies and vape stores, and making it available only from licensed premises that deal in catering.

“I think that would be the logical next step, but it’s a longer-term project.”

“There’s no reason for them to be in a dairy.”

Whyte said their number one priority is to spread awareness within the community, something that he said he has already seen rising.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/concerns-about-increased-nangs-use-in-hawkes-bay-being-aimed-at-young-people/

February 9, 2026

Homicide investigation launched after ‘much-loved’ grandmother found dead at worksite

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A homicide investigation has been launched after the discovery of a woman’s body at a worksite in Hawke’s Bay last week.

On Tuesday, police were called to a property on Taihape Road in Omahu, near Hastings after a body was found.

She has since been identified as Sharlene Smith, aged 64, from Rotorua.

“We continue to support her loved ones at this extremely difficult time,” detective inspector James Keene said.

“Our early enquiries have established that this was a tragic and avoidable death of a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister, and we are determined to find answers for her whānau,” detective

inspector James Keene said.

Keene said a committed team were investigating, but was also calling for the public’s help.

Police are appealing for sightings of a white Mazda 3 2005 sports hatch on 30-31 January within the Taihape Road/Omahu Road Fernhill area.

Anyone who may have witnessed any other suspicious activity in the area during that time period are also encouraged to contact police.

People can get in touch through the 105 service, quoting reference number 260203/9739.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/homicide-investigation-launched-after-much-loved-grandmother-found-dead-at-worksite/

February 9, 2026

Scene guards in place after Christchurch man stabbed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Scene guards are set to remain in place overnight in central Christchurch. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A scene guard will remain in place in central Christchurch overnight as police continue to investigate a serious assault.

Detective Sergeant Caroline Johnson said police were called to a property on Fitzgerald Avenue at around 12:20pm on Monday, where a man was found in a critical condition, with injuries consistent with being stabbed.

“A scene examination, and police investigation, is ongoing.

Scene guards will remain in place overnight – as this occurs, there will be increased police visibility in the area.”

Police also reassured the public that there was not believed to be a threat to public safety.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/scene-guards-in-place-after-christchurch-man-stabbed/

February 9, 2026

Watch: Taranaki’s Liquefied Natural Gas import facility expected to save New Zealanders millions

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government says a Liquefied Natural Gas import facility in Taranaki will save New Zealanders about $265 million a year.

Energy Minister Simon Watts on Monday announced a contract was expected to be signed by the middle of the year, with construction finishing next year or early 2028.

Watts told media the facility would provide Kiwi’s “greater security and peace of mind”.

“As a government we are taking swift and decisive action”.

While Luxon said it would “provide a reliable back-up source.”

“I’m sorry, we are going to be investing in energy and electricity in this country.

“We need to get rid of the dry risk,” Luxon told reporters on Monday.

Watts would not confirm whether power prices would be cheaper next winter.

“I’m not going to guarantee, based on the advice I’ve been given the benefits outweigh the costs.”

The opposition party was briefed on the decision, Watts said.

A factsheet supplied by the government said the infrastructure costs would be paid for through a levy on electricity of between $2 and $4 /MWh.

The facility was expected to cut future prices by at least $10/MWh, and curb an expected 1.25 percent reduction in Gross Domestic Product from higher energy prices.

While an exact location for the import facility was yet to be determined, all the shortlisted submissions were in Taranaki, Watts said.

Procurement started in October in response to the independent Frontier report, which the government largely rejected.

The report said developing an import facility would make no economic sense if it was used only for firming, when generation is low.

Watts said the government would design an import model bringing in “large shipments only when needed”, and would later become a “fuel source for industrial, commercial and residential users”.

The factsheet said modelling from MBIE had shown the LNG import facility would “effectively cap gas prices”.

MBIE also modelled four other options for cost, timeliness, impact on energy prices, flexibility and wider impacts – but LNG imports were found to achieve lower electricity prices at relatively low capital cost.

Options modelled included a new thermal generation plant to run on coal or biomass; a combination of new and converted ‘peaking’ plant, that would run on diesel; a combination of a new unit at the Huntly power station, new and converted peaking plants, and a demand response; or a combination of LNG importation and refurbishing the Taranaki Combined Cycle plant.

“Other options, including renewable projects, were considered but not advanced due to a range of factors such as expected time to construct, feasibility of generating power reliably on the required scale, and effects on electricity market incentives.”

How did we get here?

Luxon in August 2024 said New Zealand was in an “energy security crisis”, with Winstone and Oji Fibre mills blaming power prices as they began consulting on closures, and NZ First’s Shane Jones accused the gen-tailers of profiteering.

He announced “urgent” actions including an independent review of the sector and removing regulatory barriers for an LNG import facility, which Cabinet agreed to consent.

At that time, a timeframe of winter 2026 was expected.

The government largely rejected the recommendations of the review carried out by Frontier Economics, with sector players including Simon Bridges criticising a lack of bold action.

“It would make no economic sense to develop an LNG import terminal to meet just dry year risk as the large fixed costs would be spread over a relatively small amount of output,” the Frontier report said.

“If an LNG terminal is contemplated as a last resort to provide NZ with a secure energy system, this should be considered as part of a wider gas supply strategy for communities and industrial users where gas is the most economic source of energy.”

Watts at the time said the government would begin procurement the following week and expected to have the facility up and running by winter 2027.

An earlier report in July for the four major gen-tailers Contact, Meridian, Genesis and Mercury – as well as gas company Clarus – found it could take three to four years to set up an import facility at costs ranging from $200m to $1b.

RNZ In-Depth’s Kirsty Johnston in November reported the response from “almost every corner – other than the gas industry itself – was a collective groan”, with sector commentators calling it a “band-aid” solution that “doesn’t make logical sense”.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/09/watch-taranakis-liquefied-natural-gas-import-facility-expected-to-save-new-zealanders-millions/

February 9, 2026

District Court Judge Ema Aitken says she did not shout when disrupting NZ First event at exclusive club