Category: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A community vigil is being held in Tauranga on Thursday evening to honour those missing and the lives lost following the landslide at Mount Maunganui.

Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil is a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.

The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.

“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.

“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.

“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”

A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.

What we know about the six victims of the Mt Maunganui slip

One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.

Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.

Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.

On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.

The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.

Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.

Thousands donated to landslide victims’ families

Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.

A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.

“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.

“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”

A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.

On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.

Recovery efforts halted again over slip safety concerns

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.

In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.

Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

Independent review ordered into landslide as iwi call for answers

Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.

Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.

“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.

“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”

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/2026/01/29/watch-live-community-vigil-for-mount-maunganui-landslide-victims/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Pukehina in the Bay of Plenty.

The woman’s body was discovered on New Year’s day in a house in the rural area.

A 50-year-old man who was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship has now been charged with murder.

Police say their enquiries are ongoing and they are asking people with information to come forward.

A second person was found dead on the property a day after the woman.

The police say the man’s death is being classed as unexplained and their enquiries are ongoing.

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/2026/01/29/man-charged-with-murder-after-womans-death-on-new-years-day-in-pukehina/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A community vigil is being held in Tauranga on Thursday evening to honour those missing and the lives lost following the landslide at Mount Maunganui.

Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil is a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.

The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.

“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.

“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.

“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”

A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.

What we know about the six victims of the Mt Maunganui slip

One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.

Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.

Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.

On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.

The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.

Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.

Thousands donated to landslide victims’ families

Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.

A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.

“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.

“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”

A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.

On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.

Recovery efforts halted again over slip safety concerns

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.

In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.

Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

Independent review ordered into landslide as iwi call for answers

Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.

Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.

“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.

“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”

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/2026/01/29/watch-live-mount-maunganui-landslide-community-vigil/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Another victim of the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide has been formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.

Six people died in the Mauao slip last Thursday.

At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20 year old tourist.

Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths told the court the body was found on Saturday, and forensic dental examination and DNA had determined his identity.

On Wednesday, the first victim was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee. His identity was released on the same day he would have turned 16.

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have resumed after being paused for a second time when technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered.

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/2026/01/29/second-mount-maunganui-landslide-victim-formally-identified-as-swedish-tourist/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A burst water pipe has sent silt and discoloured water into Wellington’s Oriental Bay on Thursday afternoon.

At 2.30pm crews responded to a burst drinking water pipe on Oriental Parade.

Following the pipe breakage silt and discoloured water entered the stormwater system – causing it to flow into the harbour.

Welllington Water said the material was quickly contained.

The team was using a sucker truck to clean out sumps in the area to prevent further discharge, it said.

At 5.25pm, Wellington Water said the fault had been located towards the side of the road which meant that there were no traffic issues.

It expected work to repair the pipe would take several hours.

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/2026/01/29/burst-water-pipe-sends-silt-into-wellingtons-oriental-bay/

Source: Radio New Zealand

There is a new measles case in Tauranga which is likely linked to overseas travel.

Heath NZ says the patient is believed to have contracted the disease overseas and was not thought to be infectious on their flight to New Zealand.

National Public Health Service clinical director Dr William Rainger said the person was working with health officials to identify anyone they may have been in contact with while infectious.

The person’s early symptoms started on 21 January, he said.

So far two locations of interest have been listed for Wednesday 21 January: The General Cafe in Mt Maunganui from 7.30am-3.30pm and Pak N Save Cameron Road, Tauranga from 4.15pm to 7.15pm.

Measles symptoms include: 

• an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C), cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis) 
• a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week. 

Dr Rainger said it was a highly infectious disease which could affect all age groups.

“If you have symptoms of measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading,” he said in a statement.

“Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. ”  

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective in preventing measles – and it is free in New Zealand for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 years old and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, that includes all citizens and permanent residents.

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/2026/01/29/new-measles-case-in-tauranga/

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Whangārei District Council has announced an emergency recovery fund for residents affected by last week’s severe weather.

Mayor Ken Couper said flood-affected residents would be supported with small grants of $1000 or $2000.

“The community spirit in the area has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s important to us that you’re not left out of pocket,” Couper said in a written statement.

“It’s been a really tough time for many in these communities and the emergency recovery fund is a small but vital part of the response.”

Community and non-profit organisations, marae and small businesses in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward that had suffered extreme hardship would also be eligible.

Couper said the fund was around $130,000 in total and was made up from contributions from NEMA and the council itself.

The government has also announced that it will make Civil Defence payments available for people affected by last week’s weather events, in specific areas.

The payments would be for people based in Rawhiti, Ngaiotonga, Bland Bay (Whangaruru North), Punaruku, Ōakura (Whangaruru South), Mokau, Helena Bay, Mimiwhangata, Whananaki, Waioweka Gorge, Hicks Bay, and Te Araroa.

The payments would vary depending on someone’s circumstances and what they were paying for.

For example, a single person needing support for food, clothing, or bedding could receive a maximum of $400 and a couple or sole parent with three or more children could get up to $1100.

The payments could be used to help pay for some types of accommodation and assist with lost income.

The government had also provided $1.2 million towards Mayoral Relief Funds and a further $1m to reimburse marae that provided shelter and support.

It had stood up a Temporary Accommodation Service, and sent motorhomes to remote and isolated communities.

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/2026/01/29/whangarei-district-council-announces-emergency-recovery-fund-for-flood-hit-residents/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A 14-year-old has been arrested after a bus driver was assaulted in West Auckland.

Police were called to reports a person had been injured on a bus on Colwill Road in the suburb of Massey at about 7pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said upon arrival, the alleged offender had fled on foot.

The bus driver was taken to hospital in a moderate condition.

“This was an understandably frightening ordeal for the victim and we are continuing to support them,” Detective Bunting said.

He said on Thursday morning, police arrested a 14-year-old in relation to the alleged attack.

The teenager has since appeared in Waitākere Youth Court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

“People have a right to be safe going about their business, without having to be subjected to any type of violence,” Bunting said.

“Any violent behaviour will not be accepted and those engaging in it will be held to account.”

The teenager will reappear in Waitākere Youth Court on 17 February.

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/2026/01/29/teenager-arrested-after-auckland-bus-driver-assaulted/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following a deadly slip have resumed after being paused for a second time.

Work resumed at 2pm, several hours after it was suspended, following confirmation that the area was safe to re-enter.

“Following consultation with a number of experts on the ground, the recovery teams have been given the green light to continue with the recovery,” Detective Inspector Lew Warner said.

“While the suspension of work is frustrating for everybody involved, the correct measures must be taken to ensure the safety of everybody at the scene.”

Detective Inspector Warner reiterated the need to keep the recovery team safe.

“These people have been working tirelessly in a range of testing conditions across the last week, to bring families their loved ones back.”

Police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday after technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered.

It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner said earlier on Thursday that the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.

“The systems installed are designed to trigger any potential land movements, and excess water within the scene,” Warner said.

“Geotechnical experts will now conduct a thorough examination of the area before clearance to return to work is given.

“All staff working at the scene have been withdrawn, pending further assessments.”

Warner said police would give an update when it was able to.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins got to the disaster site just as work was being halted.

Struggling for words at one point, he described a moving experience meeting workers and victims’ families.

“It’s incredibly hard for them and to the families who have been affected, some of whom I had the opportunity to speak to briefly.

“There just aren’t really any words that you can share that really express the sense of loss that is here and the commitment of the people who are working here now to do everything that they can to support those families and to bring them some comfort.”

Hipkins said everyone was doing everything they could to support those affected and working at the site, but also to protect their safety.

“It’s a very, very difficult time for the families,” Hipkins said.

“I imagine at this point, seven days on, they just need some space and so that’s what we’ve tried to do here.

“I think being here is important to, I guess, express the country’s support, but also recognising that they deserve their space.”

Over the weekend, work was halted for about 24 hours due to a potential slip occurring.

At the time, police said the victim’s families were understandably frustrated by the delay in the recovery work but they understood why it needed to happen.

Slip recovery a ‘dangerous environment’, expert says

Dr Chris Massey, an engineering geologist with Earth Sciences, told Midday Report, one of the biggest issues with digging into an area following a landslide was the potential for the land to be destabilised further.

Massey said while he was not involved with the recovery efforts at Mt Maunganui, generally with landslides there was a possibility that digging into the debris could cause a secondary slip that could kill or hurt people nearby.

“A landslide occurs when soil or rock moves from one location to another… so the key really is managing the risk to people in that lower area who are trying to excavate the debris.

“It’s a really dangerous environment.”

Monitoring a landslide was difficult, Massey said, due to their relatively small size when compared to something like a volcano.

“You need experts to understand where they are. We use different techniques – starting from space, we can monitor the movement of the ground using radar technology, we can then get closer to the ground by monitoring using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), and aerial photography.”

On the ground sensors could be installed on the surface of the area, Massey said, which monitored movement or even instal sensors in the landslide to monitor when there was moving in the ground.

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/2026/01/29/recovery-at-mount-maunganui-slip-resumes-after-safety-concerns/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nelson Marina has received a $13 million loan from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund for a new service centre and a vessel hoist for marine maintenance.

The project is part of the marina’s wider redevelopment, which is estimated to take 15 years and cost $120m.

In announcing the funding in Nelson on Thursday, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the project would create well over 100 jobs.

“It is anticipated this part of the project will create up to 110 jobs during construction and up to 180 ongoing roles once completed, while promoting local innovation within the marine sector,” he said.

Nelson City Council, which owns the marina, will also contribute $12.89m in co-funding for the expansion.

A maximum of $10.5m will go towards the marine service centre, which includes a mix of workshops for boat building and maintenance, office space and retail shopfronts for marine-related businesses, with construction due to begin in 2027.

A further $2.4m will be used to upgrade the existing boat yard and hardstand to double its current footprint, with capacity increasing from 14 to 54 bays. It also includes the purchase of a new 110-tonne straddle lift, which has already arrived from Italy and will replace the old 50-tonne machine once a new runway is built.

Jones said Nelson’s sea-based “blue economy” added more than $350m a year in GDP to the region and employed more than 3700 people. It serves as a base for a number of industries, including fishing and aquaculture and is a popular tourism destination. Nelson is also an important centre of marine research and marine engineering.

“This investment aligns with the RIF’s priority of supporting growth through enabling infrastructure that ensures regions are well-connected and productive,” he said.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the announcement followed an incredibly tough year for the region with many job losses, and it had taken several years’ work to secure the funding.

“Council has worked hand in hand with the marina to secure this government investment of almost $13 million, which will enable us to accelerate our ambitious development plans for Nelson’s Marina. It’s a great way to start 2026 and a real boost for the city’s economic recovery,” he said.

“We want Nelson to become New Zealand’s lead marine centre by growing our blue economy – the go-to place for recreational and commercial boat building and maintenance, fishing and aquaculture and for marine science and associated professional services.”

Nelson Marina Management chair Rick Herd said the investment would deliver long-term economic, social and maritime benefits.

“By improving infrastructure at the marina, we’re helping to future-proof Nelson’s waterfront and ensuring it continues to deliver value for locals, visitors, and marine operators alike,” he said.

Minister for the South Island, James Meager, said the marina upgrade was a priority for the region.

“After a tough 2025 for Nelson-Tasman, I know the creation of 110 jobs during the marina’s expansion phase and the 180 ongoing roles once completed will be welcomed by the community,” he said.

Construction is expected to start in May and be completed in mid-2028.

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/2026/01/29/nelson-marina-upgrade-secures-13m-from-government/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence says more than 25 military troops are expected to be on the ground in flood-damaged East Coast communities – Te Araroa and Wharekahika / Hicks Bay.

Several slips on State Highway 35 during last week’s storm has separated the townships from one another, and access into each remains restricted.

Civil Defence said it was working alongside Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou and the defence force to deliver emergency supplies to isolated communities on the coast, such as food, medicine, personal protective equipment, and cleaning gear.

It said the military were also providing vital information on where support is needed most.

Gisborne District Council’s Diana Dobson said medical drops were ongoing and on Thursday a doctor, nurse practitioner, and medical officer of health landed in Wharekahika / Hicks Bay – where an emergency shelter and water purification system had been set up at Hinemaurea Marae.

Speaking to RNZ from a busy Hinemaurea Marae, Ani Pahuru-Huriwai – of the Wharekahika/Potaka/Waikura flood relief team – said the community was doing well, all things considered.

“[We’re] thankful for the people that are worrying about us, we are okay, we’re very grateful for the support that we’ve been receiving from around the country.

“It has been devastating for us – heartbreaking seeing our paradise like this – but we will get through. We’re working together very well, and probably the silver-lining in all this is [that] everyone has come together.”

Pahuru-Huriwai said the focus now was on getting the community through the days ahead.

Dobson said a further 20 buildings were to undergo safety assessments in the coming days, with 14 properties red stickered and 17 given yellow stickers across Te Araroa, Onepoto and Hicks Bay.

She said internet access had been restored to all areas.

The New Zealand Defence Force has been approached for comment.

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/2026/01/29/tairawhiti-civil-defence-troops-touch-down-in-flood-damaged-east-coast-communities/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Conservationists expect to officially declare the Otago Peninsula possum-free soon and put more pest species in their sights.

There have been years of mahi from residents, community groups and the Predator Free Dunedin collaboration to remove the pest from about 9000 hectares on the peninsula.

A steep patchwork of backyards, gullies and bush is the last line of defence to stop them from reinvading.

More than 25,000 possums have been removed from the area over the years.

The Halo Project, a delivery partner of Predator Free Dunedin, is leading the efforts on the ground, using AI cameras, trail cameras, and possum scat detection dog, Scout, to track down any remaining survivors.

Its predator-free project manager Jonah Kitto-Verhoef said the community buy-in had been impressive and important, helping to report different sightings and granting permissions to clear predators from their properties.

“Possums don’t really care about who owns the habitat. Obviously, it will straddle several adjoining properties,” he said.

Kitto-Verhoef was also the handler for possum scat detection dog, Scout.

Scout was a crucial part of their response as he helped them to work out where they needed to invest their efforts and where they could move on, he said.

“Half the challenge is having the data confidence to make operational decisions with the speed that we need to do so the scat dog compared to every other technique, maybe bar thermal drone, is the real game changer for us to be able to move rapidly.”

Predator Free Dunedin project lead Rhys Millar said the wider project area stretched across more than 40,000 hectares including Orokunui Ecosanctuary and in the city.

“We’re now at a point where we feel confident that we can eliminate possums and we’re beginning to explore multi-species elimination operations, which will encapsulate rats, the suite of mustelids as well as possums,” Millar said.

“We’re going to likely include feral cats and also rabbits in the mix. Not that rabbits are a target species for Predator Free 2050, we believe by removing rabbits it will make the control of mustelids a lot easier.”

That included looking at which toxins, traps and tools were appropriate for the different communities and areas they covered.

Awareness campaigns and community conversations about the impact of cats and feral cats on native wildlife were already underway, he said.

Kitto-Verhoef said they were already noticing more bird life and more diversity of plants that would usually be snacked on by possums.

“We’ve got people in residential areas who are winning flower competitions with their magnolias for the first time because they’ve been browsed so heavily by possums.

“People enjoy crops of broad beans and their roses so I guess our view of success is often in a conservation lens but for some people success is being able to grow a healthy rose bush.”

It was exciting to see less pressure on the ecosanctuary’s fence and vulnerable species spilling out from Orokonui, and now that plan was to improve survival rates of native species, he said.

While he was excited to celebrate success on the peninsula, Kitto-Verhoef said he was excited for the next challenge.

Millar said they were only funded until the middle of 2027.

“Current funding uncertainties do make forward planning beyond the next two years quite difficult so it’s really important for us to prove that we can deliver.”

They might reach a time where they had to simply maintain their wins and tread water rather than expand further as it was vital not to lose the hard-won gains, Millar 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://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/29/otago-peninsula-on-the-verge-of-being-possum-free/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two people who died in a helicopter crash near Wellington were pest control contractors working on Transmission Gully.

Both thepilot and a passenger died in the crash near Paekākāriki Hill on Wednesday morning.

The Transport Agency has now confirmed the two people were pest control contractors and Worksafe has been notified. A witness had earlier told RNZ he understood the helicopter was involved in goat culling in the area.

The Transport Agency is providing support to those affected by the crash.

Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins said earlier on Thursday that a significant recovery operation took place to recover both victims from the crash site.

“Police are working to formally confirm the identity of those who were recovered, but are unable to do so at this stage of the investigation,” Inspector Perkins said.

“Our thoughts remain with their families and friends at this time.”

A witness, who was first to reach the crash, said he was checking a body for vital signs as the Westpac rescue chopper arrived.

He said he could not find any sign of life before he made the call to get clear of the aircraft.

The man said the Westpac crew soon spotted another body in thick scrub, on steep terrain some distance from the wreckage.

Cordons remain in place around the Battle Hill campground while police examine the scene.

Civil Aviation Authority investigators have completed their preliminary scene examination.

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/2026/01/29/pilot-passenger-killed-in-paekakariki-hill-helicopter-crash-were-pest-control-contractors/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A key South Island highway is expected to remain closed for some time because of a serious crash.

The crash between a motorbike and a car happened on State Highway 7, between Hanmer Springs and Leslie Hills Roads, at about midday on Thursday.

The road is closed near the turn-off to Hanmer, so people can still head west from there, and north of Culverden.

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/2026/01/29/serious-crash-closes-state-highway-7-near-hanmer/

Source: Radio New Zealand

A massive IT outage at hospitals in Auckland and Northland is being blamed on cuts to Health NZ’s digital team, by a union representing public service workers.

The Public Service Association (PSA), said its members were forced to use pen and paper during a computer systems outage lasting more than twelve hours from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.

It said the outage had prevented clinicians from accessing patient information, and blocked communications.

It comes less than a month after online portal Manage My Health was hacked and patient data held ransom.

“The government has to take the blame for this – these failures are a direct result of its short-sighted decision to underfund and cut roles at Health NZ’s digital services team,” PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.

“The government oversaw the loss of the very experts who maintain and upgrade these critical systems, and now we’re seeing the predictable consequences – hospitals forced onto whiteboards and paper forms while trying to deliver modern healthcare.”

Fitzsimons called for the government to immediately review funding for digital health services and “admit its mistakes in cutting digital services expertise.”

RNZ approached Health NZ and the Ministry of Health for comment.

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/2026/01/29/massive-12-hour-it-outage-at-north-island-hospitals/