Category: Radio New Zealand

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Tony Stamp: ‘Once I started just making beats my music fell into place’

Source: Radio New Zealand

With an origin story that includes being “bullied” onto the microphone by his 95bFM colleague Wallace Chapman and invited to tell weird tales by his Facebook friend David Farrier, Tony Stamp has been part of the RNZ Music team for close to two decades.

Starting out as a sound engineer, the award-winning music journalist now works as the producer of Music 101 and host ofThe Sampler.

On his mixtape of five favourite songs, a radio-friendly ’80s hit rubs against some saucy R&B first heard at Khuja Lounge and the “warm and inviting” electronica of Four Tet.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/25/tony-stamp-once-i-started-just-making-beats-my-music-fell-into-place/

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Chalamet getting fresh for an Oscar, or is his campaign a bit (ping) pongy?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Usually when we talk about someone being “due”, it’s off the back of an incredible career, spanning decades, that’s littered with movies that absolutely could and perhaps should have nabbed one.

Glenn Close is the undisputed queen of the Academy Awards’ always-the-bridesmaid gang. She scored her first nomination in 1983, a Best Supporting Actress nod for her imperious turn as an amoral author in The World According to Garp, losing out to Jessica Lange in Tootsie.

Close has come, err, close, seven more times, most recently for Hillbilly Elegy, though her turn as the conniving Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons was arguably her most deserving shot. But that went to Jodie Foster in The Accused.

Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme.

A24

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Doctor recruited for Whakatāne Hospital quits before he starts role

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whakatāne Hospital has been recruiting for more obstetrician-gynaecologists. (File photo) Screenshot / Google

A senior obstetrician who was recruited from overseas as part of the effort to restart services at Whakatāne Hospital has quit during his orientation period.

Hundreds of women from Eastern Bay of Plenty have had to travel to Tauranga Hospital to give birth in the last year, since four of Whakatāne’s five obstetricians resigned.

Health NZ declined to confirm the recent resignation, saying it was “not able to comment on specific recruitment processes” – but stated it was “on track for the recommencement of 24/7 services in the coming months”.

Meanwhile, three other new obstetrician-gynaecologists were welcomed at a pōhiri at Whakatāne on Monday 19 January, and RNZ understands recruitment continues for two more positions.

In a written response to questions, group director of operations for Bay of Plenty, Andrew Boyd, said there had been “good progress with international recruitment”.

“We are prioritising the recruitment of senior medical officers to Whakatāne Hospital to support the recommencement of Secondary Obstetrics and Gynaecology services into the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

“Our focus remains on achieving the best possible outcomes for patients, including mothers and their whānau.”

Health NZ held a community hui late last year in Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki, with “constructive” discussions on the future of obstetrics and gynaecology services at Whakatāne Hospital, Boyd said.

“We thank the community for its patience, feedback, and continued support as we strengthen these vital hospital services.”

Uncertainty ‘frustrating’ – midwives

Community midwives said the sudden resignation of the specialist in December – after less than six months’ orientation at Tauranga Hospital – was worrying.

One local midwife, who asked to remain anonymous, said the doctor had been introduced as the person recruited to lead the service at his welcome party at Whakatāne maternity unit in November.

“As usual communication has been poor, and we do not know why he felt he could no longer continue in his role after previously appearing highly motivated and keen to get started,” she said.

“You can appreciate the frustration this has caused to many hopeful for our obstetric services to be reinstated by March and the uncertainty surrounding a replacement for him.”

Another midwife said three new obstetrician-gynaecologists had been welcomed.

“There are two more being recruited and they are on track for an April commencement of full services.

“[But it] depends on the recruitment and if they can hold these new ones.”

RNZ understands Health NZ’s regional director for Midland Te Manawa Taki, Cath Cronin, stipulated the Eastern Bay Plenty service must be reestablished in April.

However, some Tauranga Hospital staff fear specialists may be required to help cover Whakatāne, if it was not be fully-staffed by then, putting more pressure on their own services.

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Wellington’s popular Chocolate Fish Café, forced to shut by filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson’s property company, opens for the last time

Source: Radio New Zealand

Popular Wellington café, Chocolate Fish, is set to close on Sunday.

Café owners John and Penny Pennington like to think of the Chocolate Fish Café, as somewhat of a Mirimar institution. Operating since 1997, it had been at its current site since 2009.

Located at Shelly Bay, John said part of the cafe’s attraction was that it had space for kids to run around, free parking and “pretty good” food.

Chocolate Fish Cafe owners John and Penny Pennington. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

This month the cafe looked a little different however, with price tags littering the room with everything from the chairs and tables to the cutlery on sale.

“Because we’ve been terminated and don’t have anything to sell, and of course we’ve got a bit of debt and that sort of thing, and nowhere to go, we decided, right, we’d turn January, our last month of trading, into a garage sale,” John said.

Penny said it was devastating to have to close.

John said the café had a big client-base that ranged from regular locals to tour groups and people who specifically come out to Shelly Bay to go to their cafe.

Penny said the café had been described as being a hub of the community.

“We love coming to work every day because it’s like coming and seeing your friends, your whanau, and it’s just wonderful.”

Why is the café closing?

The Chocolate Fish cafe. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The cafe site was brought by Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh in 2023.

It had followed a rocky few years at Shelly Bay, with a planned controversial housing development spearheaded by the Wellington company which was later scrapped, and a fire which gutted the iconic Sawtooth building and forced the Chocolate Fish to relocate for months due to asbestos risk.

John said they thought they had won the Lotto when Sire Peter and Dame Fran purchased it.

“Everything was tracking so positively for us being able to continue on,” Penny said.

“To have that suddenly wiped out, that’s been a very bitter pill. We’re more than a café, we’re a bit of an institution,” John added.

The outside of the café. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

WingNut PM, the property arm of Jackson and Walsh’s WingNut Group, told the Penningtons at the end of September it was terminating the lease. The pair initially publicly criticised the pair for the decision, but later walked the comments back.

At the time, WingNut PM told RNZ the owners had been aware the original Submarine Barracks required “substantial remedial work”, including replacing the roof, restoring its historic frontage, interior renovations, applying a new coat of paint to the exterior, and temporarily closing the parking area for tar-sealing.

The spokesperson said they had been in discussions with the Penningtons for the past year about its pending closure.

WingNut PM declined RNZ’s request for comment on this story.

Not likely to be another Chocolate Fish

The Penningtons explored other options, but a site as big as theirs was hard to come by. So far they had not found another space like it, although Penny said they would keep looking.

“I don’t see a Chocolate Fish to this degree ever happening again, sadly – it’s a huge space.”

Chocolate Fish Café closed its kitchen in late December, and John said it some ways it was now a relief to fully close.

“The menu has been quite small, and people trying to come out for that last fish sandwich have been disappointed.”

Coupled with poor summer weather, he said it had been “a little bit depressing”.

Their final message to their customers: “We’ve loved having you.”

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Mt Maunganui landslide victims: Long-time friends spent every summer at campsite

Source: Radio New Zealand

A floral tribute left for Susan Knowles at the Mt Maunganui landslide cordon. CHARLOTTE COOK / RNZ

A friend of a woman killed in the Mt Maunganui landslide said her friend was on her annual summer camping trip with her long-time camping buddy.

Susan Knowles, 71, was one of the six named as buried under the rubble, along with her friend Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, also 71.

The pair went camping there together every summer, said Alison Holtom, a friend of Knowles for almost a decade, who came to lay flowers in her honour on Saturday evening.

Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha, is one of the Mt Maunganui landslide victims. SUPPLIED

“They stay here at the Mount, her and Jackie, for about a month every year,” Holtom said. “They rent a caravan every year as long as I’ve known her.”

  • Latest live updates from Mt Maunganui

    • One year Holtom joined them for a night. She said she had many good times shared with Knowles, who she knew through horse riding.

    “Sue was just an absolute delight… beautiful smile. Just the loveliest lady, honestly just the loveliest… she always greeted everyone, ‘How are you, blossom?’ That’s what she always said.”

    Holtom said there were about six friends all from horse riding who were all shocked.

    Flowers at the cordon. RNZ/Charlotte Cook

    “Just unbelievable, I just couldn’t believe that you know that they’re involved with it and that yeah this could happen and has happened”.

    Wheeler – from Rotorua – was the founder of Colour Concepts, an interior design store in the area. According to the Colour Concepts website, Wheeler and her husband Terry started the business in 2002 and their daughter was now a key member of their team.

    Knowles, from Ngongotahā, was a property manager for EVES Real Estate. According to the EVES website, Knowles had a background of management and property ownership since her early 20s. It said she enjoyed horse riding and mountain biking, along with spending time with her close-knit family.

    The other unaccounted for victims were Lisa Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville, Måns Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden, Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland and Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland.

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Teen athletics star Sam Ruthe smashes mile world record for his age

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sam Ruthe. photosport

Running sensation Sam Ruthe has become the fastest 16-year-old to ever run the mile, achieving the feat at the Cooks Classic in Whanganui on Saturday night.

The Tauranga teenager clocked three minutes, 53.36 seconds to go under the former world record mark held by Australian Cam Myers.

Ruthe was narrowly beaten to the finish line by two-time Olympian and training partner Sam Tanner, who helped push the youngster on, as he has done in other races on the domestic scene.

“It feels incredible. That was my goal coming into this race. I was trying to beat Tanner as well, but as soon as the gun started, I just wanted to run as fast as possible,” Ruthe told TVNZ.

“To lead out some of this race was something I felt I just had to do. I’ll hopefully get my time down faster.”

Tanner, 25, defended his national men’s senior mile title, surging past Ruthe in the home straight to win in 3min 53.36sec.

Sam Tanner and Sam Ruthe, 800m, Potts Classic, Mitre 10 Park, Hastings. Kerry Marshall/Photosport

It came a week after Ruthe pipped Tanner in an exciting 800m race at the Potts Classic in Hastings.

Last year the pair finished in a dead heat in the final of the men’s 1500m at the national championships.

Both will leave for the United States next week, with Ruthe eyeing four indoor mile races on successive weekends, in a campaign he believes will be important for his development.

Ruthe is now seventh on the list of all-time New Zealand milers, having overtaken the legendary Sir Peter Snell.

In other notable results, sprinters Tiaan Whelpton and Zoe Hobbs won the respective men’s and women’s 100m titles in sharp – though wind-assisted – times.

Ireland’s Laura Nicholson ran a smart time of 4min 43.75sec to win the women’s mile.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/25/teen-athletics-star-sam-ruthe-smashes-mile-world-record-for-his-age/

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Live: Mt Maunganui landslide latest – storm repairs, landslide recovery work continue

Source: Radio New Zealand

Some people were in tears as groups left flowers, signs and messages at the cordoned-off entrances to the landslide-hit campground in Mt Maunganui last night. Nick Monro

Authorities have evacuated some East Coast households from Onepoto and parts of Te Araroa, after significant landslide risks were identified.

The evacuations late on Saturday night were led by police and FENZ, and it is not yet clear when those affected will be able to return home, with geotech assessments needed first.

Meanwhile, searchers at the scene of the devastating Mt Maunganui landslide are now entering day two of what has been termed the recovery phase, following the announcement from officials that it is highly unlikely anyone would have survived.

On Saturday human remains were found at the site, and the six people believed to have been caught in the landslide were named by police.

Police also announced on Saturday evening that a body was found in the search for a missing driver who was swept away in a car in the Mahurangi River, near Warkworth, on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, repairs after storm damage are underway, and access to some Northland communities isolated since last Sunday has been restored.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/25/live-mt-maunganui-landslide-latest-storm-repairs-landslide-recovery-work-continue/

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Victims get uneven access to funding due to appearance, report suggests

Source: Radio New Zealand

Independent victim advocate Ruth Money. (File photo) RNZ / Niva Chittock

An evaluation of the Victim Assistance Scheme suggests victims are getting uneven access to funding based on their appearance.

The report points to perceptions among some police personnel that victims of minor offences may not be referred for the scheme and that how a person presents may influence decisions.

One police representative was quoted saying victims get uneven access depending on how they look, their history and whether they have criminal records.

“If they are well presented and come across as a stereotypical victim, officers are more likely to refer to support, including VAS,” the report said.

New Zealand’s chief victims advisor Ruth Money said that was terrible behaviour.

“It is racist, gender-biased, victim-blaming behaviour that the police are working hard to correct and certainly everyone in the justice system should be working hard to correct,” she said. “Every victim of crime deserves to receive victim-led responses, all of them. It doesn’t matter what they look like and how they are presenting.”

Money was calling for more training for frontline staff and said officers needed to be more aware of their biases.

“They need to be trained in being aware of their bias and certainly some additional work around how to refer and why everyone should be referred to the appropriate support service seems to be required given this finding.”

The report recommended introducing an automated referral system.

Police said they were strengthening the Victim Assistance Scheme referral process. In a statement, director of frontline enablement Ben Butterfield said police were focusing on faster and more consistent referrals for victims.

“This includes enhancing the accuracy and consistency of referrals, improving information sharing, and ensuring our frontline staff have the tools and guidance they need to connect victims with Victim Support at the earliest opportunity.

“Together with our partners, we remain committed to continuous improvement to strengthening access to support that help mitigate the impacts of crime.”

The Ministry of Justice said the evaluation showed the scheme was broadly equitable. Group manager provider and community services Hayley MacKenzie said recent changes had allowed the scheme to reach more people and increase support, and it was now considering further improvements, including clearer criteria and stronger referral pathways.

Victim Support said it was working with police and the Ministry of Justice to fix gaps in how victims received help. Chief executive James McCulloch said the evaluation provided clear direction on where improvements were needed in the system.

“We welcome this feedback and, alongside our partners, are actively taking steps to address the identified gaps. Together with our partners, we remain committed to continuous improvement to our services and strengthening access to supports that help mitigate the impacts of crime.”

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Access reopens for Northland settlements cut off since Sunday

Source: Radio New Zealand

Work to reinstate the washed-out bridge at Ngaiotonga started on Friday, once diggers could reach the area. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Temporary repairs to a washed-out bridge on Northland’s east coast have restored road access to an area largely cut off from the outside world since last Sunday.

The Ngaiotonga Bridge on Rāwhiti Road, east of Kawakawa, was reopened on Saturday after work by contractors, the Far North District Council said.

But motorists were told to only drive at a crawl over the bridge, until permanent repairs can be completed after the long weekend, a council spokesman said.

The reopening means residents of Ōakura, Punaruku and other settlements are now reconnected to the rest of Northland via Russell.

The route to Whangārei in the south, however, is still blocked by a massive slip at Helena Bay Hill, which is expected to take weeks to clear.

Much of the North Island was hit by severe storms this week, that brought heavy rain, flooding and landslides.

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Live: Evacuations on East Coast over landslide risks

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Gisborne District Council says flooding and slips have severely impacted Onepoto, Wharekahika and Te Araroa. SUPPLIED

Evacuations are underway on the East Coast in Onepoto and parts of Te Araroa due to landslide risks.

It will involve around 30 houses, with people being relocated to stay with friends, family or someone within the community.

There is no indication on how long people may be out of their homes, or whether they will be able to return.

Tairāwhiti CDEM Group Controller Ben Green said significant landslide risk had been identified, but no geotech assessments had been completed.

“We need to be confident there is no risk to life and until this has been completed, they will not be returning.

“When we visited Te Araroa [on Friday] we saw evidence of landslides in close proximity to houses and the potential risk to life is too great, until we understand what the geotech assessments come back with.”

The evacuations are being led by Police and FENZ, supported by the community civil defence teams.

Mount Maunganui landslide

Remains of victims have been found at a campground in Mount Maunganui overnight.

Six people have been unaccounted for since Thursday, police released their names on Saturday afternoon.

Emergency services are moving to a recovery phase, from a rescue operation.

The remains are now in custody of the coroner.

They will be transported to a mortuary in Hamilton.

Severe weather watches for South

Strong winds and persistent rain are forecast to hit the lower South Island, with watches in place until Sunday.

Otago south of Alexandra, Oamaru and mainland Southland are under a heavy rain watch, while Coastal Otago, Southland from Dunedin to Bluff and Stewart Island are all under a strong wind watch.

MetService said winds could approach severe gale in exposed places

Follow the RNZ liveblog at the top of the page for the latest updates.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/24/live-evacuations-on-east-coast-over-landslide-risks/

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Access route reopens for Northland settlements cut off since Sunday

Source: Radio New Zealand

Work to reinstate the washed-out bridge at Ngaiotonga started on Friday, once diggers could reach the area. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Temporary repairs to a washed-out bridge on Northland’s east coast have restored road access to an area largely cut off from the outside world since last Sunday.

The Ngaiotonga Bridge on Rāwhiti Road, east of Kawakawa, was reopened on Saturday after work by contractors, the Far North District Council said.

But motorists were told to only drive at a crawl over the bridge, until permanent repairs can be completed after the long weekend, a council spokesman said.

The reopening means residents of Ōakura, Punaruku and other settlements are now reconnected to the rest of Northland via Russell.

The route to Whangārei in the south, however, is still blocked by a massive slip at Helena Bay Hill, which is expected to take weeks to clear.

Much of the North Island was hit by severe storms this week, that brought heavy rain, flooding and landslides.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/01/24/access-route-reopens-for-northland-settlements-cut-off-since-sunday/

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Kiwi pro Josh Burnett wins third Tour of Southland cycling title, joining ranks of tour greats

Source: Radio New Zealand

Southlander Josh Burnett was originally set to miss out on Tour of Southland due to injury, but the event was rescheduled from November last year due to a storm. supplied

Southland’s Josh Burnett has become just the sixth rider to win three or more Tour of Southland titles, joining an elusive club that includes Brian Fowler and Hayden Roulston.

Burnett (team PowerNet), who rides for a professional team in Spain, started the day with a 19 second lead over Cambridge’s Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling Team). However an outstanding individual time trial by Wilson in the morning saw him take the stage victory and cut the lead to just 10sec heading into the final 77km stage, from Winton to Invercargill.

The fast and furious final stage was lashed by wind and rain throughout, with Wilson making a bold attack on the penultimate lap of the tour’s Waikiwi circuit finish before the two frontrunners finished safely in the bunch to repeat the one-two finish they recorded in 2024.

Burnett’s name now joins the likes of Warwick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Fowler, Roulston and Michael Vink as riders who have won New Zealand’s most prestigious stage race three or more times.

It almost didn’t happen, with Burnett originally ruled out of the November event by a badly broken arm and only coming back into the equation when an extreme weather event meant the 2025 edition was postponed until January.

“I was just planning on helping the Mito-Q boys out and cleaning their bikes. To get this opportunity, I’m super grateful to PowerNet, it’s such a well-run team. Both on and off the bike we’ve had such a good time this week. It’s a massive credit to Aaron (Sinclair) who has put this team together for the past few years. All I’ve had to think about is riding my bike,” Burnett said.

To get the chance to return from riding for his Spanish professional team, Burgos Burpellet BH, and win his home race was something special, Burnett said.

“It definitely hasn’t sunk in. I was just taking it day by day and I’m just really proud to be from this region,” he said.

“There’s no other bike race in the world where I get this amount of support so I’ve got to lap it up where I can. In Spain I can’t even read the signs, so when I’m here I make the most of it.”

Burnett, who also won the King of the Mountain classification, paid credit to his team mates, who were challenged throughout the week, particularly after losing team captain Ollie Jones to a crash on Tuesday.

“For sure there were some expectations on my shoulders all week, but I think it was mainly transferred onto my team mates, making them ride the front for three days, so a big shout out to those boys, because without them I wouldn’t have had the chance to contest the stages or be in contention.”

Burnett highlighted the battle he had with Wilson for the second Southland tour in a row. The pair sparred throughout the week, especially with one-two finishes on both the Remarkables and Bluff Hill finishes. Daniel Whitehouse (Quality Food Southland/Gough Brothers) was third overall at 1min 38sec.

“Massive credit to Matt because he is super strong and I’m sure he’s going to win a Southland one day, that’s for sure.”

Riders taking part in the Tour of Southland earlier this week. supplied

The final stage was won by Southland’s Nick Kergozou, the second time he has won the finale. Kergozou (Open Country-TES) said he was proud to win the stage and claim his fourth Sprint Ace title in his ninth Southland tour.

“I’m ecstatic with that. Matt Wilson was putting it in the gutter pretty hard. He was throwing it all out there and I knew I just had to follow to keep the sprint jersey alive.”

Timaru’s Noah Hollamby (Onya Bike) completed an outstanding debut Tour of Southland, winning the under 23 jersey and finishing fourth overall. Australian Ben Dyball (Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team) was the leading over 35 rider, and fifth overall.

Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team won the teams classification, while Christchurch’s James Krzanich (Lattitude Cycling Team) was named the Most Combative rider for the final stage and the tour overall.

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Weather live: Storm bringing gales, heavy rain with ‘high chance’ of red warnings

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow the RNZ liveblog at the top of the page for the latest updates.

Bands of heavy rain are expected to spread south across the motu on Wednesday, as orange heavy rain warnings continue for Northland, Coromandel, Rotorua and Gisborne. It comes after days of downpours flooded areas of the north, washing out roads and cutting power.

People in Auckland and Waikato are also warned to expect strong gales through the day, as well as potential heavy rain across the region and in large parts of the South Island.

Follow the RNZ liveblog at the top of the page for the latest updates.

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/weather-live-storm-bringing-gales-heavy-rain-with-high-chance-of-red-warnings/

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Black Caps batter Bevon Jacobs takes sensational Super Smash form into India T20 series

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bevon Jacobs has been the form batter of the domestic Super Smash competition. Photosport

Bevon Jacobs’ scorching Super Smash form has not gone unnoticed, even if it’s not quite enough to secure a spot at next month’s T20 World Cup.

The Auckland Aces batter was an unlucky omission from the Black Caps squad, a casualty of the its increasing depth.

National coach Rob Walter admits it would be nice to have a squad of 20 for the tournament.

“Unfortunately, there are only 15 spots, but most importantly, we have a guy who is performing very well at home, who is very confident in his game and would be ready to jump at an opportunity, if it came his way.”

Jacobs has been sensational in the domestic T20 competition, hammering six consecutive half-centuries at an average of 90 across seven innings.

‘Watching him go about his business and seeing him play the way he has played, long may that continue,” Walter said. “He has a real hunger for growth, and it’s nice to be in position where we have players in and out of the squad, who can come in and do a job for their country.”

Jacobs will get the chance to press his claims further, as he joins the Black Caps in India for a five-match T20 series.

Staying on in India after his strong performances in the one-dayer will be Kristian Clarke, who played a starring role in his maiden series, claiming seven wickets – including master Virat Kohli twice – across the three games.

“A lot has been made about what a historical achievement it was and the make-up of squad makes it more special – eight newbies in India for the first time,” Walter said. “It is a unique experience, and I was chuffed at how they rose to the occasion and delivered.”

Although the World Cup is just around the corner, Walter said the side were still focussed on the task at hand.

“It’s incredibly important to be present in this series and not look beyond that,” he said. “Playing in India is part of the cricketing experience growing up that you dream about and that doesn’t change.”

A newlook side will contest the T20 series, with just a handful backing up from the one-dayers, but Walter has no concerns about losing momentum with the personnel change.

Black Caps celebrate their one-day series win in India. Photosport

“The foundations have been set for some time now,” he said. “We expect those players to fit back into the group quite seamlessly.

“Everyone has been very active, so its more about coming together.”

The Black Caps will sweat on the fitness of allrounder Michael Bracewell, who suffered a calf injury in the series win at Indore.

“The prognosis is fairly positive, so we are hopeful his name will still be on that list.”

Walter said his 11 for the World Cup were pretty well set in stone.

“It is a broad continuum of conditions that you can be thrown in India, but we have a pretty strong idea and some wonderful combinations.

“Any team you put on the field, you expect them to compete to win.”

The first T20 at Nagpur begins at 2.30am Thursday NZT.

Black Caps T20 Squad v India

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi

*Kristian Clarke (games 1,2 & 3)

Black Caps T20 World Cup squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

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Record-breaking year sets Sharesies investors up for 2026 investments

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sharesies logo. Supplied

Last year was a record-breaking year for the do-it-yourself (DIY) Sharesies investment platform, with investors well-positioned for further investments in 2026.

Investor confidence jumped to a three-year high in the last three months of 2025, with the index peaking at 62 in October, before market volatility dampened enthusiasm to end the quarter at 45.

The index ranked the confidence of more than 930,000 Sharesies customers in New Zealand and Australia from zero to 100.

“Record trading in October was followed by subdued sentiment in November and returning stability in December,” Sharesies head of data and analytics Jordan Cunningham said.

Sharesies savings accounts saw an uptick in deposits in November, compared with the buying of shares in October.

However, the share market picked up again following the Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut in late November.

Still, net deposits for 2025 hit a record $1.7 billion at the end of December, compared with $815 million the year before.

“There were several weeks in December where the total amount of deposits were double that of withdrawals,” Cunningham said.

“We’re still really seeing those positive indications of strong net buying over selling and that strong growth in the net deposits.

“This suggests investors were positioning themselves for the year ahead.”

She said an ongoing trend was a declining investor preference for NZX companies, with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Meridian Energy and Infratil down in the ranking.

“That has been driven by the increasing focus on US.markets. We have still seen growth in investing in the NZX, but it really hasn’t kept pace with the growth we’ve seen in US markets.

“Almost 80 percent of our trading volumes now are on US [markets], compared with about 10-15 percent in NZX.

“It’s really hard for even those blue chip NZX companies to keep pace with the growth that we’re seeing [in the US], both in trading volumes and also a price.”

By contrast, she said gold-themed, exchange-traded funds saw strong net buying during the quarter.

“Tough to know what’s going to continue, given the global uncertainty that we face really.”

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Kiwis smashing it abroad: Lawyer swaps robes for national colours on field

Source: Radio New Zealand

Across borders and industries, New Zealanders are carving out space, building influence and exporting creativity. In this series, RNZ speaks to Kiwis making their mark abroad, those coming home, and those living somewhere in between.

When Wellington lawyer Natalie Olson pulled on the Thai national women’s football jersey for the first time, it was a moment she never imagined would happen — let alone so quickly.

The Thai-born 23-year-old represented the country at last year’s Southeast Asian Games, the region’s biggest sporting event, after a breakout season with Wellington United that saw her score 35 goals, netting her the Golden Boot in the Women’s Central League.

Natalie Olson with fellow Thailand national women’s football players after the team won bronze at the Southeast Asian Games at the end of last year.

Supplied / FA Thailand

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Auckland duty lawyers consider further industrial action over pay, conditions

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dennis Ansley has been a duty lawyer in Auckland for more than 38 years. Supplied

An Auckland duty lawyer isn’t ruling out further action, after not working for a week to raise awareness for poor pay and conditions.

Duty lawyers are paid by the Justice Ministry to give free legal advice to those appearing in court who cannot afford a lawyer.

Last year, some duty lawyers announced they would make themselves unavailable to work for a week in January.

Dennis Ansley has been a duty lawyer in Auckland for more than 38 years and told RNZ other lawyers were pulled in to plug the gap during last week’s industrial action.

“The Ministry [of Justice] brought in people from other courts, including Tauranga, and replaced those of us on the roster, who were taking industrial action,” he said. “There was very little disruption to the courts, except there were new lawyers here that didn’t know the system in Auckland.”

He said their message had been delivered.

“We’ve got publicity, we’ve got awareness now,” he said. “People are talking about it.”

Ansley said he had messages of support from other lawyers.

“I’ve had a lot of calls since from lawyers all over the country, as far as Southland, who had read about what happened and offered their support.”

Communication had been an issue, Ansley said.

“If we plan something next time – and I’ve already got something in mind – the communication will be far better,” he said.

Potential future action would be better planned and more effective, Ansley said, although he hoped more industrial action wouldn’t be necessary.

He said he had yet to hear from the justice minister or ministry.

“Talk to us,” he urged officials. “Instigate the recommendation from the review of the duty lawyer scheme, which was to urgently look at our remuneration, because of the problems with attraction and retention of lawyers onto the duty lawyer roster.

“It’s in a crisis stage now and it needs to be addressed.”

Ansley said that review was with the minister.

The Criminal Bar Association said the hourly rates and work conditions imposed on duty lawyers were far below those of lawyers in private practice.

President Annabel Cresswell said they stood with duty lawyers for a country where everyone could access justice, no matter their income.

“The treatment and pay provided to duty lawyers by successive governments has made this work unsustainable or even unsafe,” she said. “That is, in turn, a breach of the rights of all New Zealanders to access justice and fairness in our courts.”

Cresswell said duty lawyers spent every day at the frontlines of an under-resourced justice system.

“They take care of those who cannot afford legal fees in the most high-pressured conditions, dealing with addiction issues and mental health challenges.

“This service needs to be preserved.”

The government must support duty lawyers to protect the right of the most vulnerable in court, Cresswell said.

Ministry of Justice acting national service delivery group manager Louisa Carroll said the courts were not disrupted during the industrial action.

“The ministry was advised of a possible reduction in duty lawyer availability in Auckland, Christchurch and Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay,” she said. “Only one duty lawyer from a different region was rostered to maintain coverage, in accordance with the Duty Lawyer Operational Policy.”

Local duty lawyers were rostered where possible, she said.

“The Legal Aid Triennial review includes a review of remuneration across the legal aid scheme, including proposals related to the duty lawyer service that were outlined in the discussion document.

“The proposals are currently with the minister for consideration.”

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Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says some storm damage ‘as bad as you see in north’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper visits the damages areas around Ōakura. Supplied / Whangārei District Council

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says the storm damage he witnessed on Tuesday was as severe as any he’s seen in Northland.

A precautionary state of emergency is already declared for the Whangārei District as large areas of the country brace for more bad weather.

Northland and Coromandel Peninsula are under an orange heavy rain until Thursday, with MetService saying there’s a high chance of upgrading to red.

There are also heavy rain warnings for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, and MetService has issued strong wind watches for Auckland and Waikato from 8am .

Couper visited the areas worst hit by Sunday’s deluge, including the seaside settlement of Ōakura, northeast of Whangārei, to see the effects for himself.

“It was as bad as you see in the north, in terms of the damage to property, the hillsides coming down behind houses, the damage to the wastewater infrastructure, things like that. It is quite localised, thank goodness, but where it’s bad, it’s bad.”

However, Couper said the people he spoke to were unbowed.

“They’re a resilient bunch. They’re used to living remotely.

“They look after themselves. They acknowledge they’ve had a hit, but they’re very pro-active about getting on with life.”

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper speaking to residents. Supplied / Whangārei District Council

Residents in Ōakura in particular were “extremely upset” about damage to the community hall they had worked so hard to renovate little more than a year ago.

“It’s been taken out by the slip behind it, so they’re very sad about that, but people aren’t down in the dumps. They’re just frustrated with the fact that they have now a big clean-up job.”

Couper said the damage already caused and the prospect of more extreme weather in coming days had persuaded him to declare a state of emergency, which came into force at 4pm Tuesday and would last an initial seven days..

Ōakura Community Hall was badly impacted by the flooding. RNZ/Peter de Graaf

“With a further weather event coming, we felt that it was wise to declare a state of emergency, which allows certain powers to be released, if required. We didn’t want to wait until it’s proved that it is required – we wanted to get ahead of the game.”

Couper said those extra powers included the right for police to order evacuations or close roads, if they believed lives were in danger.

The council’s emergency operations centre was already up and running, and Northland Civil Defence was engaged in a full regional response.

“They are ready to respond, and are in place should this weather event come along and cause us more trouble.”

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell visited Whangarei on Tuesday and supported the council’s decision to declare an emergency early.

“We certainly didn’t take that decision lightly and there was a full discussion with all the emergency services before the decision was made.

“Our hillsides and roading network are already saturated, we have 47 slips, there are cracks above those slips and any more rain will potentially cause more problems. Part of our community is significantly affected already and we have people in emergency shelters.”

Couper said Northlanders looked out for each other when the going was tough and he expected that would happen again, if there was more extreme weather in coming days.

“I think now is a time for us to demonstrate how resilient and how connected we can be as a community, and of course, we will. We always do up here in the north.

“It’s just a case of being prepared, as much as we can.”

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Election date announcement due as MPs gather for caucus retreats

Source: Radio New Zealand

PM Christopher Luxon giving his State of the Nation speech on Monday. RNZ / Calvin Samuel

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will announce this year’s general election date, as National MPs gather for their first caucus meetings of the year away from Parliament.

National MPs will meet in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold a caucus meeting in Auckland.

Luxon is expected to announce this year’s election date at about 12.30pm Wednesday.

On Monday, Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges pressed him on whether it would be held on 7 November.

“You’re going to find out very shortly, my friend, very shortly,” Luxon responded, before asking Bridges whether he would put money on that date.

He also indicated his ministers would not be reshuffled at the retreat, repeating his stance that he would only reshuffle when he needed to.

“I don’t feel a compunction to do this political thing every year where it’s done. I do it when I feel there’s a need to sharpen up or to change the profile of the individual leading the assignment, or there’s a different set of tasks that we need to be done by a certain personality.”

Luxon earlier told Newstalk ZB that National “may have some retirements”, which would necessitate a reshuffle.

So far, the only National MP to announce they will retire at the end of their term is New Lynn’s Paulo Garcia, who is not a minister.

The MPs have been in Christchurch since Tuesday afternoon, gathering privately for a dinner at their hotel.

Luxon gave his State of the Nation speech on Monday, when he indicated National would shy away from any “extravagant” election promises this year.

He did not announce any policies, other than to speak about National’s previously announced pledge to raise the default KiwiSaver contribution rate, if re-elected.

Luxon is also not expected to announce any policies at the retreat.

Meanwhile, Labour is gathering in West Auckland for its own caucus retreat.

Leader Chris Hipkins has attempted to rebuild relationships in Auckland, after Labour lost key seats in the Super City in 2023 and saw its party vote fall.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins would not reveal any more retirements from his party. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Hipkins would not reveal what would be discussed at the retreat, nor would he be drawn on any reshuffles or departures.

While figures like Grant Robertson, Kelvin Davis, Rino Tirikatene and David Parker have retired over the course of the term, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb is the only Labour MP to confirm they will stepping down at the election.

Hipkins would not say whether any more had told him over the summer they would be leaving, saying it was up to his MPs to announce their plans.

“I’ve always been very clear that, where any MP indicates that to me, it’s their business to announce that and I always leave them the space to do that. Simply speculating on whether there had been or there hadn’t been would be unfair on anybody, had there been that conversation.”

Later this week, parties (minus ACT) will visit Rātana Pā for the annual commemorations, before Parliament’s first sitting week of the year next week.

The sitting block will last only a week though, with Parliament then breaking for a week and politicians heading to Waitangi.

The Prime Minister has yet to confirm if he will attend Waitangi this year, after opting to spend the occasion last year with Ngāi Tahu in Akaroa instead.

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What is going on with the Beckham family feud?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Many people find the Christmas holidays strain their family relationships, but few go to the extent of issuing lengthy statements on social media about them. If you’re the first-born son of a mega-famous and wealthy power couple, however, it’s the easiest way to stoke a gossip fire that’s been smoking for months.

Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham, the eldest child of Victoria and David Beckham has released an explosive six-page statement addressing the strained relationship with his parents.

The 26-year-old said he had been subject to “endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders”.

Former England footballer David Beckham (5L) and his wife Victoria Beckham (3R) pose on the red carpet with their children, and partners, (from L) Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham upon arrival to attend the Premiere of “Beckham” in London on October 3, 2023.

HENRY NICHOLLS

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/what-is-going-on-with-the-beckham-family-feud-2/