Category: Radio New Zealand

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Rugby: Moana/Blues beef far from done

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tana Umaga today confirmed that New Zealand Rugby has approached him about joining Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching group. Photosport

They didn’t engage in the war of words, but the Blues were merciless when it came to battle.

The Blues battered their cross-city rivals to reclaim 09 bragging rights, with an emphatic 43-7 victory in Auckland this afternoon.

Despite the one-sided scoreline, and apparent one-sided feud, Moana coach Tana Umaga stands by his scathing assessment of the franchise.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t stand by those when it’s what’s actually happening. Because we lost, it doesn’t detract from the fact, that was the facts.”

The former All Black captain let loose on the Blues earlier in the week, stating that the Blues didn’t want Moana in Auckland, and alleging they even tried to block them from playing in Northland and South Auckland.

Blues coach Vern Cotter has not responded directly to Umaga’s comments.

“That’s outside, today was just a game, it was about the players on the paddock. We have a massive amount of respect for them as a team, we will take this win and just move forward.”

Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i concurred with his coach.

“Tana was a Blues man once. I have a lot of respect for him and his players, whatever happens up in the offices, that’s none of my concern.”

Umaga also questioned the officiating during his side’s loss after Moana saw two tries disallowed, which would have seen them take a half-time lead.

The first saw Lalomilo Lalomilo ruled offside from a lineout, while the second was scrubbed after interference at the scrum.

“Some pretty tough calls in general, we’ll have another ok at those. There’s a bit of contention whether he was off the scrum and initiated the contact, and the one coming off the lineout, that was a tough one.”

Umaga felt the decisions were a microcosm of greater issues in Super Rugby.

“We probably have to ask ourselves the question as a game, are we looking for reasons not to score tries? What kind of game do we want to have?”

Umaga feared over-adjudication would frustrate audiences.

“We can’t be complacent in rugby in this country, we’ve got to do all we can to make sure the product we are putting out there is something people want to see.”

One call which Umaga did not take issue with was the red card issued to Augustine Pulu for his swinging arm on Sam Nock.

“That did harm us, to play half an hour with 14 players, but when we had 14 men we seemed to have a lot more urgency.”

While Moana took confidence into the sheds at halftime – trailing by just eight – discipline continued to plague them, penalised right from the restart.

“We couldn’t build any positive moments, it was hard to change momentum around.”

Umaga will likely have plenty to take his mind off his beef with the Blues, confirming New Zealand Rugby has approached him about joining Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching group.

“I’ll figure those out after today.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/rugby-moana-blues-beef-far-from-done/

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Unity Week helps heal scars of Christchurch mosque attack seven years later

Source: Radio New Zealand

Walk the Talk Unity March through Christchurch to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the mosque attack. RNZ/Keiller MacDuff

Hundreds of people gathered in a shady grove at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, surrounded by bird song and the hum of cicadas, to remember one of the darkest days in the city’s history.

A formal ceremony to mark the seventh anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks brought together loved ones of the 51 shuhada (martyrs) killed by a white supremacist terrorist on 15 March, 2019, those injured in the attacks, first responders including representatives from Police and Hato Hone St John, members of the public and politicians.

Following a moment of silence, the names of the 51 dead were read out, interspersed with the tolling of the city’s World Peace Bell following each name.

Wreaths were later laid by dignitaries, including Mayor Phil Mauger, MPs Megan Woods and Matt Doocey, Senior Sergeant Roy Appley, who led the police communications centre on the day of the attack, and St John national youth manager Kerry Mitchell.

Many attendees gathered first at the Bridge of Remembrance, as part of the Walk the Talk for Unity event, making their way from the city centre to the gardens carrying signs and 51 prayer mats.

The Sakinah Community Trust – a not-for-profit started by seven bereaved women after the attacks – organised the Unity Week events.

Chair Dr Hamimah Ahmat said the mats represented each of those killed at prayer, but the impacts rippled across the whole community, including the families and friends of those killed, and the many injured who live with the memories every day.

“We’re not just talking about 51,” she said. “We are talking about the families of the 51, we’re talking about the friends of the 51s, the neighbours of the 51s, and then not forgetting the people who were physically injured and their families, who continue to live through and go through the memory of March 15th.”

Everyone grieves differently, Ahmat said, and would acknowledge the day in different ways.

Izzah Harron and uncle Farid Ahmed read the names of Christchurch mosque attack victims, as the Peace Bell tolls 51 times. RNZ/Keiller MacDuff

“Alhamdulillah [thank God], we are thankful that, as people grieve and heal, more and more are starting to support this kaupapa and support this idea.”

Initially, non-Muslims struggled with how to express their sorrow over 15 March, because they feared it could be culturally inappropriate or disrespectful, Amhat said. The focus on unity and bringing people together was a key part of the Islamic tradition, and the group was happy to pave the way to remembering lost loved ones even from the depths of their grief.

“It wasn’t just Muslims that were directly impacted. In many different ways, everyone – the whole of New Zealand, including people of non-faith – were also affected and impacted by what happened to this beautiful country, by a person that they did not invite.”

She said the organisation’s Unity Summit conference had talked at length about how moving the nation forward would take many hands, including the hands and voices of young people.

In the future, Amhat hoped to see Unity Week events happening around the country, not just in Christchurch.

Australian activist Robert Martin was invited, alongside Melbourne imam Alla Elzokm, to take part in the Unity Summit and speak at the unity walk.

He said his visit had been deeply moving and he had been inspired by the resilience of the community, but he was taken aback at the lack of publicity surrounding the event.

“There’s nothing – signs, TV ads, radio ads, anything about the commemoration. I can’t believe there isn’t anything.

“These poor families need something they can go to, other than just a tombstone.”

Christchurch man Nicholas Witte took part in commemorative events for the first time, and it had been a pleasure and an honour.

“I’m here with other fellow members of my community. We’re Jewish, we want to express our wholehearted support for this.

Participants walked through the Christchurch city centre carrying 51 prayer mats to remember the victims. RNZ/Keiller MacDuff

“It’s a completely authentic expression of what we believe.

“Very early on in our historic teachings, we’re told B’tselem elohim – all human beings are made in the image of God – it’s something we take completely seriously.”

Kathleen Gallagher attended to honour the lives of two lifelong friends of her sons, who were killed in the attacks.

She said the compassionate way Ōtautahi responded to the devastating attacks was the most important thing, something the world needed more than ever.

A senior adviser at Norway’s 22nd July Centre, Anne Talsnes said images of Sunday’s march were engraved in her memory.

“Walking around with those 51 mats, it will forever stay with me.”

Talsnes – whose background was in memory studies, a multidisciplinary field that examined the politics of memory, and what societies choose to remember or not – works at the centre set up four years, after the massacre carried out by Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik in July 2011, killing 77.

There were a lot of similarities in communities that went through what our communities had gone through, she said.

Talnes said she could not yet judge how New Zealand was processing the memory of 15 March, but it stood out how the commemorations were community led and how much the faith community had taken agency over what happened to them.

“They own their own story, and they’re incredibly resilient and open-hearted.”

Norwegians had to confront many unpleasant conversations in the effort to confront the horrors of the 2011 attacks.

“We couldn’t keep just talking about the love and the unity that came out of it,” she said. “We also had to address the source and the ideology behind it, which took a long time.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/unity-week-helps-heal-scars-of-christchurch-mosque-attack-seven-years-later/

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‘AI illiterate’: NZ at risk of being left behind as data centre plans move forward

Source: Radio New Zealand

Artist’s impression of how the data centre is to look. Datagrid / supplied

A new $3.5 billion data centre that will be built near Invercargill is being touted as the country’s first “artificial intelligence factory”, but a tech expert says New Zealand is currently “AI illiterate” and without urgent action, the country’s economic growth is at stake.

Datagrid New Zealand has received resource consent for the 78,000 square-metre data centre, which will be built in Makarewa, north of Invercargill. The company was founded by Rémi Galasso and Malcolm Dick in 2021.

“This approval is the result of years of dedication and collaboration, and we are excited about the transformative impact this project will have on Southland and New Zealand as a whole,” Galasso said.

The centre will have a dedicated substation and consume 280 megawatts of power, making it the country’s second-biggest electricity user after the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, consuming around 6 percent of New Zealand’s total annual electricity demand.

Energy-hungry data centres are a boom industry in New Zealand, with international companies keen to reduce their climate impact by using the county’s renewable electricity.

Technology expert Mark Laurence said the term “AI factory” was coined by Jensen Huang, the chief executive of American technology company NVIDIA. It describes a data centre that was built to serve AI technology, through training and inference.

AI training involved teaching a model by feeding it datasets to learn patterns, while AI inference was the application of that knowledge.

“Take ChatGPT, for example – whenever OpenAI decides to train their next version of ChatGPT, they essentially take mountains of data, give it all to their algorithms, throw it all into a data centre and that data is processed for months and months by the AI algorithm to create the next version of ChatGPT,” Laurence said.

“Every time we use one of these AI tools, like ChatGPT or Copilot, every time we type in something and press enter, that is called inference,” he said.

ChatGPT sparked the recent artificial intelligence hype on its release in 2022. Koen van Weel / ANP MAG / ANP via AFP

Laurence runs Ten Past Tomorrow, a strategic advisory and AI training company with the aim of increasing AI literacy and capability in New Zealand.

He said demand for training and inference was increasing as more people used AI tools, with New Zealand well-positioned geographically and climatically to host data centres to do that work.

“Data centres use a lot of water and because the massive computers inside them generate so much heat, they need to be cooled down as well,” he said.

“In Invercargill, the average annual temperature is around 10C, which means they can simply cool those centres with the outside air.”

The Invercargill facility is not the first large scale data centre in New Zealand. Microsoft opened a data centre in Auckland in 2024, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) spent $7.5b building a cluster of data centres in the city.

He said to illustrate what the AI factory was capable of, once complete it would have the capacity to process around 960 million ChatGPT conversations per day, which was between 5 to 10 percent of the conversations processed by the AI chatbot globally each day.

Who benefits from the data created in these centres?

Laurence said Microsoft and AWS (Amazon) were supplying output from their centres to New Zealand organisations and the public service, but output from the Datagrid centre would instead be piped offshore through a subsea cable to serve overseas markets.

Datagrid has not said who its customers will be, or how the information its centre produces will be used.

Laurence said he wanted to see a government commitment that New Zealand was able to use and benefit from the technology that centres like the Datagrid’s AI factory were powering.

Laurence said the country was at risk of becoming “AI illiterate”, and statistics showed New Zealanders were not being trained at the rate or the capability that most developed nations around the world were in terms of being able to use AI tools, which meant the country was falling behind in its ability to keep pace with the international market.

“We’re still a nation that’s using AI to change the tone of an email and summarise long documents, while the rest of the world is pulling ahead in terms of redesigning whole workflows and injecting agentic AI at the full edge of its capability.

“It’s exciting to have the infrastructure being built, particularly when it contributes to our economy but what needs to go hand-in-hand with that is national capability training programs so that we can actually harness the outputs of this infrastructure and use it to the benefit of our people, our companies, our organisations, and ultimately our economy.”

A project years in the making

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Casey said the new data centre provided an opportunity for the region to broaden its economic horizons.

“Once operational, Datagrid estimates it could generate hundreds of millions annually in data service exports and add approximately $60 million to GDP each year.”

The construction phase alone was expected to create more than 1200 skilled jobs and inject around $4b into the economy.

She said Southland had a strong foundation in traditional industries, and adding a “weightless export” sector, where the region delivers digital services globally-could be a natural complement.

The proposed Tasman Ring Network. Datagrid / supplied

Transpower said it was confident the national grid could meet the energy needs of the new data centre.

Executive general manager of grid development Matt Webb said while the centre required a big load, there was a lot of new electricity generation emerging and Transpower was responsible for facilitating a balance between the two.

He said the national grid operator had been in serious discussions with Datagrid for a year or more and a formal connection application process was now underway.

Webb said there were a number of significant Southland wind projects going through the consenting process, along with solar projects.

Transpower expected 1300MW of new projects (generation and battery storage systems) to be commissioned in 2026, increasing capacity by around 13 percent.

Webb said having a confirmed electricity load of that size gave investors confidence in renewable energy investments.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/15/ai-illiterate-nz-at-risk-of-being-left-behind-as-data-centre-plans-move-forward/

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Live: Black Caps v South Africa – first T20 at Mount Maunganui

Source: Radio New Zealand

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram (L) and David Miller (R) celebrate their win over New Zealand at the T20 World Cup. AFP

The Black Caps return home from their World Cup heartbreak in India to host South Africa in a five-match T20 series at Mt Maunganui.

Top order batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly are in line to make their T20 debuts during the series, as is Central Districts spinner Jayden Lennox.

First ball is at 7.15pm

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/live-black-caps-v-south-africa-first-t20-at-mount-maunganui/

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Cheese recalled over Listeria concerns

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 200-gram packet of Emborg Emmentaler cheese that is the subject of the recall. Supplied

A batch of cheese from Goodfood Group Limited is being recalled because of the possible presence of Listeria.

Food Safety says the affected product is a 200-gram packet of Emborg Emmentaler cheese with a best before date of 5 November.

It was imported from Germany and sold at supermarkets across the country.

People are being advised to return the cheese to its place of purchase for a refund or throw it out.

Food Safety said there had been no reports of illness.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/cheese-recalled-over-listeria-concerns/

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Four separate crashes cause highway closures and three fatalities

Source: Radio New Zealand

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Crashes in Hastings, Rotoru, Mangaweka and Lindis Pass have left three people dead, another with serious injuries, and forced multiple highways to close.

Hastings

A crash in Hastings left one dead and closed a road.

Police said one person was found dead at the scene of the single vehicle crash near Te Mata Road.

Waimarama Road is currently closed and diversions are in place while the scene is examined.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Rotorua

State Highway 5 has been closed after a Bay of Plenty crash near Ngongotahā, Rotorua.

The crashed happened on the stretch between Western Road and State Highway 36.

Mangaweka

A motorcycle crash in Mangaweka has left another person dead and closed State Highway 1.

The crash near Manui Road was reported to emergency services just before 11am.

Police said the rider died at the scene.

The road remains closed while a scene examination is carried out. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

Lindis Pass

Another fatal crash on Sunday afternoon has also blocked Lindis Pass.

Police said they were called to the two-vehicle crash between Old Faithful Road and Omarama-Lindis Pass Road at 12:20pm.

One person died at the scene.

The road remains closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/four-separate-crashes-cause-highway-closures-and-three-fatalities/

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Northlanders stage windblown protest against Bream Bay sand-mining application

Source: Radio New Zealand

About 700 people gathered on Northland’s Ruakākā Beach to protest a proposed sand-mining operation. Supplied / Bream Bay Guardians

At least 700 people have staged a noisy protest at Northland’s Ruakākā Beach against a controversial fast-tracked proposal to mine up to 8 million cubic metres of sand.

The crowd included many of the region’s civic leaders, MPs, kapa haka groups and even the Waipū Highland Pipe Band.

However, high winds put paid to plans by waka ama and boating clubs to join the protest on the water.

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper and local hapū Patuharakeke led the crowd onto the beach just after 11am Sunday.

Couper, a dairy farmer at nearby Waipū, said he wanted to help give a voice to the community, which risked being shut out of the fast-tracked consenting process.

“We are very concerned that the benefits of this proposal will not come into Northland and, in fact, the outcomes will not be good for us at all. We will suffer ecological damage to our beaches and our people are very, very concerned about that.

“We’re here to make sure our voices are heard.”

Couper said strong winds had curtailed some of the organisers’ plans and had forced the bagpipers to adapt their uniforms, but had not deterred them from heading to the beach.

Protesters make their feelings clear about a proposed sand-mining operation. Supplied / Bream Bay Guardians

“They’re really engaged,” he said. “It’s a great peaceful protest, a real testament to the Bream Bay and wider Northland community.”

The protest was organised by the Bream Bay Guardians community group, who oppose plans by Auckland company McCallum Brothers to dredge up to 150,000 cubic metres of sand per year from the seabed about four kilometres offshore.

After three years, the amount dredged would increase to a maximum of 250,000 cubic metres per year. If granted, the consent would last 35 years.

McCallum Brothers lodged an application for fast-track consent at the end of January, with the application deemed complete on 17 February.

Under fast-track rules, community groups do not have a right to be heard, but the expert panel making the decision can invite them to make a submission.

Many of Northland’s civic leaders took part in the protest. As well as Couper, they included Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, Northland Regional Council chairman Pita Tipene, councillors and Green list MP Hūhana Lyndon.

Local residents included Ethan Pirihi of Waipū, a kaiāwhina (assistant) at nearby Ruakākā School. He said this was “a big take” (cause) for his whānau.

“I originate from Patuharakeke, so I thought I’d come and tautoko [support] the cause,” Pirihi said. “I used to lay concrete in Auckland and I always wondered where all the ingredients to make concrete came from.

“Now I see it’s coming out of our backyard, I’m here to help stop it.”

Protesters opposed to a sand-mining proposal off Northland’s Bream Bay march down Ruakākā Beach. Supplied / Bream Bay Guardians

Pirihi’s main concern was the potential effect of the removal of millions of tonnes of sand on sealife and kai moana.

Ruakākā accountant Nicole Butturini said sand mining offered “absolutely no benefit” to Northlanders.

“In fact, we’d be worse off, because of the detrimental effect to marine ecosystems,” she said. “It could also jeopardise far more significant long-term economic opportunities for Northland through tourism and recreation.”

Butturini said more innovative solutions were needed, rather than “unsustainably pillaging the environment”.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said he had come to the protest, even though Bream Bay was not in his district, to tautoko (support) the cause.

“We’ve heard the concerns of the community here, and the concerns of iwi and hapū and our cousin councillors, so why wouldn’t I come down and show support? This could have intergenerational detrimental effects on this community, regardless of district borders.

“We’re all Northlander at the end of the day and no way do I want this sand mining proposal to go ahead.”

Tepania said the protest had a “beautiful wairua” and local concerns were “very palpable”.

McCallum Brothers has been contacted for comment.

In December, Whangārei district councillors voted unanimously to urge the expert panel to allow groups, such as the Bream Bay Guardians, to have a say in the fast-track consenting process.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/15/northlanders-stage-windblown-protest-against-bream-bay-sand-mining-application/

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Twizel photographer Jeff Ng captures Aurora Australis from Lake Ruataniwha

Source: Radio New Zealand

Twizel photographer Jeff Ng took took the photo at Lake Ruataniwha. Jeff Ng

Twizel astrophotography enthusiast Jeff Ng says the region has seen a few auroras lately, after he captured a magnificent view on Saturday night.

The Airbnb owner with a passion for photography took the colourful photo at Lake Ruataniwha about 10.30pm.

“It wasn’t busy,” he said. “I was all alone in the dark, pretty much.”

Ng said auroras had happened “quite often lately” in the area, but some monitoring was still require to take a good shot.

Did you also capture the aurora? Send your photos to inews@rnz.co.nz

“It all depends on the sun. It’s like rain, you know, you don’t just stand there and wait for the rain.

“If it comes, it comes… so it’s similar with aurora.”

Ng had practised as a photographer for almost six years now.

“It’s a bit of a research, you know, kind of like when is the hot spot for the sun.”

Keeping track of potential auroras had become easier through online resources like Glendale App and local Facebook groups.

A former Wellingtonian, Ng was drawn to Twizel because of his hobby, moving there last June.

Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of two reserves in the country, with the other being in Wairarapa.

The reserve spans 4367 square kilometres, with other parts of the South Island certified as dark sky sanctuaries, including the more recent Tāhuna Glenorchy Sanctuary.

Now that Ng had settled in his new home, he said his goal was to visit the South Island’s “top spots” for more aurora shots.

“What I intend to do is have more time to travel the south, get a campervan or something, and then just travel Catlins or West Coast.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/twizel-photographer-jeff-ng-captures-aurora-australis-from-lake-ruataniwha/

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Twizel photographer Jeff Ng captures aurora from Lake Ruataniwha

Source: Radio New Zealand

Twizel photographer Jeff Ng took took the photo at Lake Ruataniwha. Jeff Ng

Twizel astrophotography enthusiast Jeff Ng says the region has seen a few auroras lately, after he captured a magnificent view on Saturday night.

The Airbnb owner with a passion for photography took the colourful photo at Lake Ruataniwha about 10.30pm.

“It wasn’t busy,” he said. “I was all alone in the dark, pretty much.”

Ng said auroras had happened “quite often lately” in the area, but some monitoring was still require to take a good shot.

“It all depends on the sun. It’s like rain, you know, you don’t just stand there and wait for the rain.

“If it comes, it comes… so it’s similar with aurora.”

Ng had practised as a photographer for almost six years now.

“It’s a bit of a research, you know, kind of like when is the hot spot for the sun.”

Keeping track of potential auroras had become easier through online resources like Glendale App and local Facebook groups.

A former Wellingtonian, Ng was drawn to Twizel because of his hobby, moving there last June.

Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of two reserves in the country, with the other being in Wairarapa.

The reserve spans 4367 square kilometres, with other parts of the South Island certified as dark sky sanctuaries, including the more recent Tāhuna Glenorchy Sanctuary.

Now that Ng had settled in his new home, he said his goal was to visit the South Island’s “top spots” for more aurora shots.

“What I intend to do is have more time to travel the south, get a campervan or something, and then just travel Catlins or West Coast.”

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/twizel-photographer-jeff-ng-captures-aurora-from-lake-ruataniwha/

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Silver Fern Kate Heffernan stars in incredible Australian Super Netball debut

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kate Heffernan in the action for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australian Super Netball competition. Sarah Reed

Standout Silver Fern Kate Heffernan has wasted no time making her mark on Australian Super Netball, showcasing her skills against the world’s best.

Heffernan made a spectacular debut in the opening round for premiership favourites Adelaide Thunderbirds, helping her newlook side to a record-breaking 20-goal win against New South Wales Swifts.

Wearing the centre bib, Heffernan was a key playmaker for the home side in their 74-54 demolition at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The former Southern Steel stalwart pulled in three intercepts and nailed 14 goal assists against last year’s preliminary finalists.

Another new recruit who led the onslaught for Adelaide was South African shooter Elmere van der Berg, who finished with a club-record 59 goals in just 53 minutes of game-time.

Heffernan, who brushed aside any pre-game nerves, admitted her team wasn’t getting carried away with the one-sided win.

“We’re stoked with that performance, to come out like that and put the foot down in the second half,” she said. “It’s just exciting times and a lot of exciting things to come, I think, for the Thunderbirds.”

Adelaide led by five goals at half-time, before outscoring the Swifts by 11 goals in the third quarter. The Kiwi matched up against versatile Swifts midcourter Tayla Fraser in the opening quarter, before Fraser was subbed for former Australian Diamond Maddy Proud.

The New South Wales coach re-introduced Fraser to mark Heffernan in the last quarter.

Heffernan conceded the pace of the game was incredibly fast and the tight one-on-one marking was tiring.

“Definitely feeling that man-on-man style, I’ve got someone tagging me at all times, which is different to a bit more space in New Zealand,” she said.

“I feel like Tania [Adelaide coach Tania Obst] and the girls have prepared me and the newbies really well.”

“It certainly felt different, but I feel like we’re settling in pretty well.”

Also sharing the same court was Silver Fern Grace Nweke, who scored 40 goals from 43 attempts for the Swifts.

Fellow NSW player and former Silver Fern Gina Crampton made 10 goal assists at wing attack in her professional return, following the birth of her first child.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/silver-fern-kate-heffernan-stars-in-incredible-australian-super-netball-debut/

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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Blues v Moana Pasifika

Source: Radio New Zealand

Photosport

The Blues head into their fixture against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park buoyed by a rare win over Super Rugby rivals Crusaders last week.

Meanwhile, Moana sit bottom of the table with just one win from their opening four fixtures.

Kickoff is at 3.35pm.

Blues:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 2. Kurt Eklund. 3. Marcel Renata. 4. Josh Beehre. 5. Sam Darry. 6. Anton Segner. 7. Dalton Papali’i, who will captain the side. 8. Hoskins Sotutu. 9. Sam Nock. 10. Beauden Barrett. 11. Caleb Clarke. 12. Xavi Taele. 13. AJ Lam. 14. Codemeru Vai. 15. Cole Forbes.

Bench: 16. James Mullan. 17. Mason Tupaea. 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Laghlan McWhannell. 20. Malachi Wrampling, on debut. 21. Taufa Funaki. 22. Pita Ahki. 23. Zarn Sullivan.

Moana:

1. Tito Tuipulotu. 2. Millennium Sanerivi. 3. Atu Moli, on debut. 4. Tom Savage. 5. Allan Craig. 6. Miracle Faiilagi, who will captain the side. 7. Semisi Paea. 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. 9. Augustine Pulu. 10. Patrick Pellegrini. 11. Glen Vaihu. 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo. 13. Tevita Latu. 14. Tevita Ofa. 15. William Havili.

Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada. 17. Monu Moli. 18. Lolani Faleiva. 19. Veikoso Poloniati. 20. Dominic Ropeti. 21. Joel Lam. 22. Ngani Laumape. 23. Tuna Tuitama.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/live-super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-moana-pasifika/

Posted on

Live: White Ferns v South Africa T20 at Mount Maunganui

Source: Radio New Zealand

Maddy Green of New Zealand. New Zealand White Ferns v Zimbabwe Women, 2nd ODI at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin. Photosport

The White Ferns play South Africa in the first of five T20 internationals at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

The two sides will then play three one-day matches as part of South Africa’s whiteball tour of New Zealand.

Former captain Sophie Devine and veteran batter Suzie Bates return to the White Ferns squad for the T20 series.

First ball is at 2.45pm.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/live-white-ferns-v-south-africa-t20-at-mount-maunganui/

Posted on

Gull stations run out of fuel as petrol hits the $3 a litre mark

Source: Radio New Zealand

Signage at a Gull station in Auckland. RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

Several Gull petrol stations have run dry for the second time in three days, as motorists worry about rising prices and supplies.

Petrol (91) has tipped over the $3 a litre mark in some areas because of the conflict in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump is calling for countries to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed as Iran launches attacks to halt maritime traffic.

The area is critical because around 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption or 20 million barrels a day, usually pass through it.

Gull has 113 petrol stations, mostly in the North Island and said they were very busy on Sunday.

RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

Locals said the self-serve Gull petrol station at Rosebank roundabout in West Auckland ran out of fuel on Saturday night and the Gull at Rosebank East has a sign up saying “no fuel”.

Meanwhile, the Tasman petrol station in Epsom was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday and had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”.

Locals and store workers

Lloyd McInnes goes to the self-serve Gull petrol station on the Rosebank Road roundabout every week and was surprised to see a message saying the pump was unavailable.

“Today’s the very first time ever that they’ve said they don’t have any for me. I expected a price increase, but I did not expect to not be able to buy any.

“Apparently this is throughout Gull’s in West Auckland … they seem to be the one with the most issues, so now I’m going to head to another brand to get some petrol.”

Meanwhile the Coffee and Convenience store, not managed by Gull, put up signage itself as the worker inside (who did not wish to be named) told RNZ the team had copped a lot of abuse as a result.

He said he wasn’t sure when the fuel had run out.

The Tasman petrol station in Epsom, which was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday, also had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise’s most recent assessment of New Zealand’s current fuel stock level was published on its website a week ago and said at that point, New Zealand has 52 days cover of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.

Gull’s spokesperson says there is still plenty of fuel for everyone in Auckland the rest of the country. RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

Gull responds

In response, Gull told RNZ customers continued to “flock to our stations in search of fair fuel prices”.

It said the high demand was running some of their network to run dry.

“Some of our logistics providers are struggling to meet the current 15 percent plus increase in demand.

“Gull has good levels of fuel at its terminal and is working as fast as practical with our logistics’ providers to get fuel to our sites to meet Gull’s customers increased demand,” a spokesperson said.

The fuel company said there was still plenty of fuel for everyone in Auckland the rest of the country.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/gull-stations-run-out-of-fuel-as-petrol-hits-the-3-a-litre-mark/

Posted on

Four separate crashes cause highway closures and two fatalities

Source: Radio New Zealand

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Crashes in Hastings, Rotorua and Mangaweka have left one person dead, another with serious injuries, and forced multiple highways to close.

Hastings

A crash in Hastings left one dead and closed a road.

Police said one person was found dead at the scene of the single vehicle crash near Te Mata Road.

Waimarama Road is currently closed and diversions are in place while the scene is examined.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Rotorua

State Highway 5 has been closed after a Bay of Plenty crash near Ngongotahā, Rotorua.

The crashed happened on the stretch between Western Road and State Highway 36.

Mangaweka

A motorcycle crash in Mangaweka has left another person dead and closed State Highway 1.

The crash near Manui Road was reported to emergency services just before 11am.

Police said the rider died at the scene.

The road remains closed while a scene examination is carried out. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

Lindis Pass

Another crash on Sunday afternoon has also blocked Lindis Pass.

Police said they were called to the two-vehicle crash between Old Faithful Road and Omarama-Lindis Pass Road at 12:20pm.

Initial indicators suggested there were injuries, police said.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/four-separate-crashes-cause-highway-closures-and-two-fatalities/

Posted on

Gull stations run out of gas as petrol hits the $3 a litre mark

Source: Radio New Zealand

Signage at a Gull station in Auckland. RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

Several Gull petrol stations have run dry for the second time in three days, as motorists worry about rising prices and supplies.

Petrol (91) has tipped over the $3 a litre mark in some areas because of the conflict in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump is calling for countries to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed as Iran launches attacks to halt maritime traffic.

The area is critical because around 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption or 20 million barrels a day, usually pass through it.

Gull has 113 petrol stations, mostly in the North Island and said they were very busy on Sunday.

RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

Locals said the self-serve Gull petrol station at Rosebank roundabout in West Auckland ran out of fuel on Saturday night and the Gull at Rosebank East has a sign up saying “no fuel”.

Meanwhile, the Tasman petrol station in Epsom was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday and had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise’s most recent assessment of New Zealand’s current fuel stock level was published on its website a week ago and said at that point, New Zealand has 52 days cover of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.

Gull’s spokesperson says there is still plenty of fuel for everyone in Auckland the rest of the country. RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

Gull responds

In response, Gull told RNZ customers continued to “flock to our stations in search of fair fuel prices”.

It said the high demand was running some of their network to run dry.

“Some of our logistics providers are struggling to meet the current 15 percent plus increase in demand.

“Gull has good levels of fuel at its terminal and is working as fast as practical with our logistics’ providers to get fuel to our sites to meet Gull’s customers increased demand,” a spokesperson said.

The fuel company said there was still plenty of fuel for everyone in Auckland the rest of the country.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/gull-stations-run-out-of-gas-as-petrol-hits-the-3-a-litre-mark/

Posted on

Changing sexual norms among young people a growing concern – report

Source: Radio New Zealand

The report said in some cases, the patients did not think what happened to them was sexual assault (file photo). Supplied/123RF

A new parliamentary report warns some young people are turning up to hospital with injuries after violent sex but do not realise they may have been sexually assaulted.

The issue was raised in a report by the Justice Committee, reviewing the work of the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence.

The committee said it had been told there can be a “fine line” between rough sex and sexual assault and that some young people were presenting to accident and emergency departments rather than specialist sexual assault services.

In some cases, the patients did not consider what happened to them to be rape or sexual assault.

The report said changing sexual norms, particularly among young people, were a growing concern.

Committee members were told practices such as choking and strangulation were becoming more common during sex.

However, the report warned those acts could have serious health effects.

“These practices can have severe health consequences, such as brain injury and PTSD,” the report said.

It also noted evidence shows strangulation and choking could be warning signs of future, lethal violence.

The committee heard one response could be better training for hospital staff.

The board said educating emergency department workers about the signs of sexual assault would help them identify cases that might otherwise be missed and refer patients to the right services.

New sexual violence capability frameworks are expected to be published next year to help health professionals recognise more nuanced signs of sexual assault.

Officials also wanted stronger education for young people about the potential harms of rough sex.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/changing-sexual-norms-among-young-people-a-growing-concern-report/

Posted on

Commemorations mark seventh anniversary of Christchurch mosque attacks

Source: Radio New Zealand

The memorial outside the Masjid Annur. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

Commemorations are underway in Christchurch to mark the seventh anniversary of the mosque attacks.

On 15 March 2019, Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant opened fire at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre as the congregations marked Jumu’ah – the most significant prayer of the week.

This year’s commemorations started with a walk-the-talk-for-unity event at the Bridge of Remembrance, organised by the Sakinah Community Trust, an organisation established by a number of the widows.

A service at the Peace Bell in the botanic gardens started with a minute’s silence, followed by the names of the 51 victims.

It will conclude with the laying of wreaths.

‘Showed the world strength, compassion and unity’ – PM

In a post on social media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to those who lost their lives.

“Today we remember the 51 people who were killed in the Christchurch attacks, and we think of the families, friends, and communities who still live with that loss.

“Seven years ago, Christchurch, and New Zealand, showed the world strength, compassion and unity in the face of tragedy.

“We honour those who were taken from us by continuing to build a country where everyone can live in peace and safety,” the post said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/commemorations-mark-seventh-anniversary-of-christchurch-mosque-attacks/

Posted on

Braden Jane discharged without conviction after Arrowtown bar assault

Source: Radio New Zealand

The attack took place outside the Fork and Tap pub in Arrowtown. Google Maps/Screenshot

It was a “rush of blood” moment when Braden Jane knocked a 19-year-old unconscious outside an Arrowtown bar.

While his victim was lying on the ground, Jane left the scene, leading police to release CCTV images of him at the pub on the evening of the incident before he handed himself in to police.

The 30-year-old project manager has now been discharged without conviction in the Queenstown District Court after Judge Mark Williams ruled a conviction of intent to injure would cause him to lose his job.

The incident has come with a warning from the judge that there was too much alcohol-related violence in the tourist town.

“There needs to be a message that violence in Queenstown will not be tolerated,” the judge said at the hearing.

Mat Woods, chief executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, shared the judge’s concerns.

“Violence is not acceptable in our community,” he told NZME.

“Incidents like this are always concerning.

“Our hospitality sector works hard alongside police, licensing authorities and the wider community to promote responsible behaviour and ensure the town remains a safe place for residents and visitors alike.”

A number of violent incidents involving alcohol had taken place over the past year in the city.

Those included an assault on Ballarat St in the early hours of New Year’s Day, which police are still investigating.

In September last year, an Australian tourist celebrating his 30th birthday smashed a glass in his victim’s face after they commented on his height.

In May, a man was punched in an unprovoked attack in the city centre. Police learnt of the incident while investigating a separate assault moments before in a popular bar.

At Jane’s hearing this week, the court heard he had attended a wedding in the Gibbston Valley area on December 21, 2025.

The wedding party later moved to the Fork and Tap pub in Arrowtown.

Shortly after 10pm, as Jane, his fiancee and a group of friends were leaving, the victim was standing outside the bar.

Jane had gone to the toilet and when he returned, he claimed to have heard offensive things being said to his fiancee.

“He said there were some threats being made, he told police he got angry and rushed forward,” defence lawyer Bill Dawkins submitted in court.

“He walked up two steps and hit.

“This is a case of, really, a rush of blood.”

The closed-fist punch connected with the victim’s mouth, causing him to fall backwards, knocking him unconscious.

Jane then left the scene.

The victim, who was studying at the University of Otago, had returned home to Arrowtown for the summer and had been working at a local golf course.

He was taken to hospital, where he received stitches for a split lip and had a CT scan, which showed no further signs of damage.

In his victim impact statement, he said he suffered the “most brutal” headache he’d ever had.

“He doesn’t know you, has never met you and says he does not know why you hit him with what he describes as a ‘coward’s punch’,” Judge Williams told Jane of the victim.

“It was a moment of anger, you said it was as simple as that.

“You would have been guilty of manslaughter if the person had died.”

Police circulated a CCTV image of Jane after the incident.

Jane then approached his lawyer before going to the police. He was charged with injuring with intent to injure.

The court heard Jane had apologised to the victim in writing. He was remorseful and was grateful the victim was not seriously injured.

The victim, who was not in court, was “neutral” about Jane’s application to be discharged without conviction, Dawkins and police prosecutor Dan Andrews said.

Jane was planning to move to Australia with his fiancee and worked for an international company as a project manager, which required extensive travel overseas. A conviction would likely end in him losing his job, Judge Williams said.

He also said Jane suffered “media scrutiny” after the incident as his image was circulated online.

Because of his clean record, the risk to his job and the unlikelihood Jane would reoffend, Judge Williams granted the discharge without conviction application.

However, Jane was ordered to pay the victim $5000 in emotional harm reparation.

This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/braden-jane-discharged-without-conviction-after-arrowtown-bar-assault/

Posted on

Prime Minister’s office denies Christopher Luxon requested Samoan matai title

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is due to fly to Apia on Sunday evening. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Prime Minister’s office has denied reports that Christopher Luxon requested to be given a matai title ahead of his visit to Samoa.

Luxon is due to fly to Apia on Sunday evening for a three-day Pacific mission, which will also see him visit Tonga.

It will be Luxon’s first opportunity to bilaterally engage with the recently-elected prime ministers of both countries.

His itinerary in Apia on Monday includes a meeting with Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, as well as a guard of honour and ava ceremony.

There, Luxon is set to be presented with an honourary matai, or chiefly title, reported by Samoan media to be Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua.

In a livestreamed interview with Samoan outlet Talamua Media, and subsequently reported by Samoa Global News, La’aulialemalietoa said New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa had informed him that Luxon had requested a title.

However, a spokesperson for Luxon told RNZ this was incorrect.

“While the bestowal of an honorary title is a great honour for New Zealand and a mark of our strong relationship with Samoa, it is not something that was requested by the prime minister.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also denied the claim.

“The New Zealand High Commissioner did not request a title for Prime Minister Luxon. As is normal in the preparation for a prime minister’s visit there were detailed discussions with the host government about arrangements,” a spokesperson said.

“The high commissioner asked for advance notice of any important announcements or honours to ensure that the prime minister could be properly prepared.”

Luxon would not be the first New Zealand prime minister to be bestowed a matai title.

Robert Muldoon, David Lange, Jim Bolger, Sir John Key, and Sir Bill English have all received the honour, as has Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.

The Samoa Observer has reported a letter has been written to Samoa’s Lands and Titles Court to stop the bestowment of the matai title.

La’aulialemalietoa also suggested it would be a “perfect first act of service” for Luxon to endorse and implement the petition calling for visa waivers for Samoans arriving in New Zealand.

“One’s duty as a matai Samoa, is to serve Samoa,” is reported to have said.

A petition with more than 48,000 signatures was handed over at Parliament last month calling for visitors from six Pacific nations (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) to be treated the same as travellers from 60 other countries that are eligible for the NZeTA.

While Peters has backed the petition, Luxon is more reluctant, telling RNZ the government had introduced faster, easier, and cheaper visa access, longer visa duration, and a trial for Pacific passport holders travelling from Australia with an Australian visa to enter New Zealand on the NZeTA.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to try and make it easier to secure New Zealand visas, which I think has been important. But also we have to acknowledge that Samoa and Tonga are a major source of overstayers,” he said.

“If we don’t have some sort of visa screening, that problem could be much bigger and that causes a different set of challenges. So it’s just finding the balance through that all.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/prime-ministers-office-denies-christopher-luxon-requested-samoan-matai-title/

Posted on

Rotorua, Hastings crashes cause closures and one fatality

Source: Radio New Zealand

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Crashes in Hastings, Rotorua and Mangaweka have left one person dead, another with serious injuries and forced multiple highways to close.

Hastings

A crash in Hastings left one dead and closed a road.

Police said one person was found dead at the scene of the single vehicle crash near Te Mata Road.

Waimarama Road is currently closed and diversions are in place while the scene is examined.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Rotorua

State Highway 5 has been closed after a Bay of Plenty crash near Ngongotahā, Rotorua.

The crashed happened on the stretch between Western Road and State Highway 36.

Mangaweka

While a motorcycle crash in Mangaweka has also closed State Highway 1.

The crash near Manui Road was reported to emergency services just before 11am.

Police said initial indications suggested there were serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/15/rotorua-hastings-crashes-cause-closures-and-one-fatality/