Category: Radio New Zealand

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Publicly-funded x-rays and ultrasounds now offered in Wānaka

Source: Radio New Zealand

Matt Doocey says the changes will reduce travel time for patients. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Publicly-funded x-rays and ultrasounds are now offered in Wānaka, the government has announced.

The lack of local diagnostic testing was a key concern raised by residents at a Rural Health Roadshow last year.

The change was expected to lead to about 1400 x-rays and 1500 ultrasounds over the next 18 months.

Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey said people had made it clear that access to diagnostic tests was a major barrier to good healthcare.

“People living in Central Otago deserve timely, quality healthcare close to home. Changes like this reduce unnecessary travel and ensure patients can access reliable services in their own community,” he said.

Health Action Wānaka, which has been advocating for more equitable healthcare, described the change as an “amazing” step forward.

Chairperson Monique Mayze said people previously had to drive for at least an hour to Dunstan Hospital in Clyde if they did not want to pay.

“This has meant people obviously have to find childcare, take time off work, spend more money just getting somewhere to access something that should be free,” she said.

“We’ve been advocating for this change for some time, since we met the minister in July last year.”

She said the group would like to see CAT scans and MRI scans available in Wānaka too, rather than people having to travel to Dunedin.

The government has been working on ways to overhaul the area’s health services and address long-standing inequities.

In November, officials estimated that shifting appointments out of major hospitals and into communities could spare Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes residents as many as 40,000 road trips per year.

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Firearms owners say gun laws overhaul doesn’t go far enough to undo ‘damage’

Source: Radio New Zealand

A selection of firearms which are now prohibited, on display to media at a 2022 police press conference. RNZ / Ana Tovey

Firearms owners say the government’s overhaul of gun laws doesn’t go far enough to undo the “damage that was done” after the 15 March terror attacks.

A Muslim leader, meanwhile, told MPs to consider public safety over what was convenient for firearms owners.

Parliament’s Justice Committee has been hearing in-person submissions on the country’s new gun regulations, put forward in the Arms Bill.

Many licensed firearms owners expressed concerns the changes don’t go far enough, while the Police Association has criticised the new regulator being set up without sworn officers.

Support ‘with reservations’ from firearms groups

On Monday morning, MPs heard from firearms groups, gun control advocates, and the union representing police.

Much of the submissions from firearms groups focused on their problems with the existing legislation, and whether they thought the new bill would assuage them.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association supported the bill, with “some reservations,” feeling it did not go far enough.

“It fails to meaningfully unwind many of the bad policy decisions, the over regulation and the structural failures introduced since 2019, said chief executive Gwyn Thurlow.

“Farmers, land owners, and conservation agencies are calling for more effective game animal control and pest eradication and biodiversity outcomes but successive governments had stigmatised the use of firearms. This has not been resolved by this bill.”

Thurlow felt political fear and media pressure had “constrained” the bill.

“When lawful, fit and proper people exit the system because it has become too difficult, too intrusive, too hostile to engage with, public safety is not improved.”

Zac Dodunski, from the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Antique and Historical Arms Association said the new legislation was the “first steps” in the right direction, considering the “damage that was done” post-Christchurch.

Fish and Game New Zealand supported the bill, but suggested “practical gaps” could be filled, such as making agency-owned firearms registered to the agency, not the individual employee.

The bill would also keep the firearms registry implemented after the 15 March attacks.

Despite supporting the intent of the bill, the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) said there remained a level of mistrust from firearms owners that information would be kept safe.

“The continued perception that the registry will magically solve gun crime, despite worldwide evidence to the contrary, will continue to be a bureaucratic burden around the New Zealand taxpayer’s neck,” said COLFO’s chair Brad Gallop.

New regulator questioned

The new regulator, without sworn police officers, was also met with concern.

The Police Association’s president Steve Watt said it was appropriate that the governance of the regulator and the enforcer were the same.

“Police being part of the FSA is an extremely important issue for us, as it does provide safety and security for our members, in the sense that there is coherent information sharing, and there is a robust system in place whereby we can share that information and make sure that safety and security is at the forefront,” he said.

“When we consider all the things that can be simplified, firearms isn’t one of them.”

Philippa Yasbek, co-founder of Gun Control NZ, said the bill’s “hostility” towards police involvement in the regulator was risky.

Yasbek said the bill was “not terrible, but it is messy” and anticipated Parliament would have to fix the legislation “many, many times” if the bill was passed in its current state.

But COLFO supported the change, with Gallop calling for a separate legal entity to ensure distinct separation of powers.

He had concerns that the FSA would still be part of police from a budgetary perspective, meaning police could still have influence on the FSA.

“There are still some issues around the bureaucracy that has been created by the FSA that have overly complicated licensed firearms owners to both renew their license and also transact on a day to day basis with the FSA,” he said.

“The issue we have is not with licensed firearms owners’ ability to register their firearms. The issue is the mistrust within the firearms community of the ability of the police at the moment to keep that information safe.”

The process of appointing a chief executive to the FSA was “significant,” Yasbek said, as she felt it was an “unconstitutionally precedented arrangement.”

She called for a merit-based appointment, with the process led by the Public Service Commission, instead of one appointed by the Governor-General.

“The risk cuts both ways, it could be that someone’s appointed who I think is far too close to the gun lobby. Alternatively, governments change, and suddenly it’s someone who’s seen as completely hostile to gun owners.”

Abdur Razzaq from the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand also opposed the method of appointing a chief executive.

“There needs to be a merit-based approach, and when that merit-based approach is bypassed by political appointees, under whatever guise, I don’t think we could accept that.”

Razzaq said the convenience of lawful firearms owners should never come above public safety, and called on the committee to keep the “tangible grief, the lasting grief, the memory, and the legacy” of the 51 people who died in the terror attacks in mind as it considered the bill.

“The bill is not only about making the whole licensing system more efficient, it is not only about making the system more convenient for lawful users, and there are many Muslim licensed gun users. It should also be about, does it make New Zealand safer? We request this last metric be the central argument in your deliberations. That should be the litmus test.”

He told the MPs on the committee the future of the nation’s safety and wellbeing was in their hands.

“You will be accountable,” he said.

What does the bill do?

The bill as introduced would repeal and replace the 1983 Act, introducing new penalties and tougher restrictions for gang members.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee had sought a carve out for competitive shooters to access military-style semi-automatic firearms, but failed.

It would also reform the Firearms Safety Authority without sworn police officers, and headed up by its own chief executive, who would report to the firearms minister, instead of the police minister.

At its first reading in December, Labour supported the bill, while the Greens and Te Pāti Māori opposed it.

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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/2026/03/02/firearms-owners-say-gun-laws-overhaul-doesnt-go-far-enough-to-undo-damage/

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Actor Awards 2026: See which nominees are taking home a win

Source: Radio New Zealand

Now, it’s time for the Actors.

The show formerly known as the SAG Awards is taking place, as the last major stop for many nominees before the Oscars on 15 March. The Actor Awards are voted on by members of the Screen Actors Guild, which this year placed Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another ahead of the pack with seven nominations total.

Sinners from director Ryan Coogler scored five nods, with individual recognition for recent BAFTA winner Wunmi Mosaku, along with Michael B. Jordan – who pulled double duty playing twins – and newcomer Miles Caton. The acclaimed vampire-period hybrid film is also nominated for its ensemble as a whole, as well as for best stunt ensemble.

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Former solider and sex offender Adrien Bell’s volunteer work sparks concern

Source: Radio New Zealand

Just Zilch. RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham

There are concerns that a former soldier sentenced to home detention for filming young people using a bathroom for six years is now volunteering at a Palmerston North food rescue charity.

Adrien Bell, who also goes by the surname Bennett, has volunteered at Just Zilch since the New Year break.

Just Zilch takes donations from local suppliers, such as supermarkets and cafes, and distributes the food to people in need.

It’s understood other volunteers weren’t initially told of Bell’s history, although some are now aware.

Just Zilch said although it can’t comment on individual volunteers, it’s important to properly address concerns.

Open Justice reported in 2024 that Bell, a former army corporal, was sentenced to 10 months’ home detention after he admitted one charge each of committing an indecent act on a young person and possessing an intimate visual recording, and two charges of making an intimate visual recording.

A court summary said Bell put a hidden camera in a bathroom of a home, capturing images of naked people between 2014 and 2020. One of the victims was a girl aged 11-13, and other victims were in their teens.

Videos of them were found on Bell’s laptop, Open Justice reported.

A Just Zilch volunteer, who RNZ has agreed not to name due to worries they would lose their position at the charity, said Bell hadn’t caused problems with his behaviour there.

But, they felt his presence around vulnerable people – volunteers and people who received food donations – was a concern. They said young people would also volunteer at Just Zilch and work at its Featherston Street location, in central Palmerston North, at the same time as Bell.

The volunteer was told by a fellow charity worker who Bell was and to Google the Open Justice story, which was also published on the RNZ website.

“It was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I knew I had seen that story. I knew when I saw him that I knew him from somewhere, but I couldn’t think where.

“He makes no secret of the fact he’s ex army, but there’s no story as to why he gave up the army.

“Basically every day I do a shift the army comes up in conversation.”

Another former volunteer told RNZ they wouldn’t feel comfortable with Bell’s presence.

In a statement to RNZ, Just Zilch board chairperson Angela Rowan said: “While we’re unable to comment on individual Just Zilch employees or volunteers due to privacy reasons, given the nature of these concerns it is incredibly important to us that they are addressed properly in a way that respects all people involved.

“The safety of our volunteers, employees and clients is a non-negotiable,” she said.

“We balance our obligations to our people with our kaupapa and mission to minimise waste and support food security in our community, while upholding our values of kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, without judgement, and justice.”

RNZ asked about the charity’s policies and procedures for vetting volunteers.

“We have identified ways to improve how we onboard people, and are working with professional advisers to support this mahi,” Rowan said.

Open Justice reported that Bell was no longer working for the army by the time he was sentenced.

He could not be reached for comment.

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Death after man’s methadone dose changed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Andy Dean Photography/ 123rf

Two people had their therapeutic methadone doses changed by Te Whatu Ora against their will, with one man dying of an overdose only six weeks later, according to two separate rulings by the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC).

In one case, a pharmacy mistakenly gave one woman – known as Ms A – nearly double her normal dose because her name was similar to that on another prescription.

In the other case, a man who the report calls Mr A died of “mixed drug toxicity” in September 2021, six weeks after he was rapidly taken off methadone involuntarily by HNZ’s Addiction Services in Bay of Plenty.

The case of Mr A

A had been on methadone as part of opioid substitution treatment for the past 30 years.

But in June 2020, he voluntarily began reducing his dose, with the goal of coming off it completely, as he was finding the conditions of the programme “burdensome”.

Mr A was also a habitual user of cyclizine, an antihistamine known to enhance the effects of opioids, which he took for seasickness while fishing.

At an appointment in November 2020, he was reminded of the need to attend regular appointments despite reducing his methadone use, and “it was noted he would not commit to ongoing attendance”.

In response, the frequency of his appointments was increased to monthly, which commissioner Morag McDowell found in her report to have been “counterproductive”, considering he was already finding the programme “onerous”.

After 10 months of “gradual recession”, the report found, Addiction Services decided he was showing a lack of engagement with the service, as he was failing to attend appointments and decided his prescribed methadone dose “would be withdrawn rapidly unless engagement improved”.

Between 7 August and 14, 2021, Mr A was discharged from the programme involuntarily, and his access to methadone cut off.

Six weeks later, he died from “mixed dose toxicity”, with the drugs in his system including methadone, to which he would have decreased tolerance due to the withdrawal.

The commissioner noted Health New Zealand’s approach seemed “punitive”.

“I am highly critical that Mr A’s treatment was withdrawn involuntarily contrary to accepted standards and practice, at a dangerously rapid rate, and without appropriate discussion of the risks of opioid overdose, management of possible opioid overdose, or how A could re engage with treatment or obtain support from a consumer advocate,” she says.

It recommended Health NZ write an apology to Mr A’s family.

In the report, Health NZ maintained monthly contact was a standard requirement under their protocols, and while in some cases clients could be encouraged to attend meetings by “holding doses”, this would most likely have resulted in a complete withdrawal from methadone rather than a scheduled one, and “the risks and results of undertaking such a strategy may have been the same”.

The commissioner is also critical of the pharmacist involved, who reduced A’s dose on a number of occasions without signoff from Health NZ.

The pharmacy that employed them said it “would not be usual practice to decrease doses of methadone without authorisation from the prescriber”.

The pharmacist claimed Health NZ had signed off on the change, and there were records to prove it, but those could not be produced, and the pharmacist had by now left that pharmacy.

The case of Ms A

In the second case published this week, a woman – known in the report as Ms A – had been receiving methadone as part of opioid substitution treatment since 2009.

In June 2023, Ms A was told by her case manager that due to the fact that she had recently injected some illicit opioids, along with some missed appointments and medical reviews, she should switch to buprenorphine.

When Ms A declined, HNZ began to reduce her dose of methadone, supposedly to reduce her risk of an overdose.

According to the report: “Once the dose reduction began, Ms A and her partner repeatedly told the service that she was not coping well physically or psychologically and that she was at risk of self-harming and of ‘purchasing drugs and overdosing’. Ms A was not offered any physical or psychological support. Limited contact was initiated by the Addiction Service.”

She switched to buprenorphine, but did not tolerate it well, and switched back.

Commissioner McDowell also criticised HNZ for then “delay[ing] optimisation of Ms A’s treatment by requiring her to undergo unnecessary and onerous serum-level testing”.

She recommended HNZ provide a written apology to Ms A.

It has also referred Health NZ Bay of Plenty to the HDC’s director of proceedings to consider whether legal action was warranted, due to the severity of the departures from accepted standards.

Separately, in 2023, a case of mistaken identity saw her pharmacist at Unichem Greerton hand her the wrong prescription – a dose of 90mg of methadone rather than 40mg – because her first name was similar to that of another patient.

The commissioner said the error was caused by a “momentary lapse in attention”, but if Unichem Greerton had had appropriate policies and procedures in place, it would have reduced the risk of such mistakes.

Unichem Greerton, quoted in the report, said it was disappointing that the dispensing error occurred and that it was sorry.

It assured the commissioner that methadone dispensing was “treated with utmost seriousness” and until this event it had maintained an eight-year record of no methadone dispensing errors.

Since the error it had made the following changes:

  • Different patient dosages were now more clearly separated in the controlled drug safe.
  • All pharmacists had discussed the importance of accurately identifying the correct dosage and name selected at the time of giving the dosage, and of taking enough time to do this carefully – even at busy times.
  • Pharmacists had completed a refresher course on opioid substitution therapy.
  • The pharmacy now had a doublecheck process, where a second dispensary staff member must doublecheck the patient against the dose.
  • Notes are put on the files of patients with similar names.

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Officers armed, cordons in place as police incident closes road in Waipā

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo.

A road in Waipā , Waikato is closed due to a police incident on Monday afternoon.

Mellsop Road is closed, and cordons were in place near Arapuni Road.

Some officers were armed as precaution, police said.

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area.

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Wāhine Māori acknowledged with awards for cancer research

Source: Radio New Zealand

Katya Hutton. Supplied / Cancer Society

Three emerging Māori researchers leading innovative projects to improve cancer outcomes for whānau Māori will receive this year’s Māori Cancer Researcher Award.

Their research range from exploring how papakāinga living can strengthen the practice of Rongoā Māori, to developing next-generation immunotherapies with fewer side effects, to enhancing genomic tools that more accurately predict treatment responses for Māori and Pasifika patients.

This is the fifth year for the awards, which are a partnership between Te Kāhui Matepukupuku o Aotearoa (Cancer Society New Zealand) and Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa.

This year, two PhD scholarships and a master’s scholarship have been awarded.

Rongoā Māori practitioner and researcher Robbie Richardson (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Hauiti ki Rata, Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngāti Tuwharetoa) is completing her doctoral research through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuārangi.

Her work focuses on her whānau’s ancestral home, Mangamāhoe, exploring how papakāinga living and Rongoā Māori practices can help protect whānau and whenua in the face of PFAS contamination from the neighbouring Ohakea Air Force Base – chemicals that persist in the environment for more than 150 years and have been linked to increased cancer risk.

For Richardson, the impact was real not just on her community but within her whānau as her father passed away from cancer a year after residents were first informed of the contamination.

“So there we are with my dad not even 200, 300 meters living from the Ohakea Air Force Base all his 83 years, only having eaten from the land, drank the water from the land, animals such as like chooks and all of that sort of stuff, and all of the vegetation and the crops, that’s all he’s known. He very rarely had takeaways.”

The revelation of PFAS contamination was a shock to community with the Base taking a long time to engage with the papakāinga, she said.

“It’s what they call a forever chemical, so it stays, it moves in water, it doesn’t dissipate in water. So the impact to the whenua is 150 years plus that it will then be able to move out of the so-called red zone.”

Robbie Richardson. Supplied / Cancer Society

Richardson has been practising Rongoā Māori for more than 15 years, among the goals for her research include building evidence for Rongoā Māori within cancer prevention and survivorship frameworks and supporting whānau and hapū health sovereignty in contaminated environments such as at Mangamāhoe.

Her father lived on the papakāinga all his life and Richardson said her research will look into the ways papakāinga living facilitates the expression of rongoā.

“[Rongoā has] been missing since the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act. So we’ve had this backwards and forwards…. all the medical kind of questions around it, when in fact all it’s simply about is bringing out ease, whatever that might be.”

Ariana Drabble’s (Te Arawa – Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Raukawa – Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Toa – Ngāti Kimihia) PhD research at the University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka will look to tap into and better understand the power and potential of Natural Killer (NK) cells.

“Our immune system can be reprogrammed to destroy cancer cells, but current CAR T cell therapies for blood cancers often fail when tumours evade detection or suppress T cell activity. NK cells have powerful cancer-killing abilities and a safer profile. By combining CAR T cells with CAR-engineered NK cells, we aim to harness their complementary strengths. NK cells can guide and support T cells while reducing factors that shut down immune responses.”

In the last five years, Drabble’s mother, grandmother, an aunt and uncle have all received cancer diagnoses.

“Each diagnosis was not just a moment of grief, but confirmation that this mahi is not simply academic, but it is a commitment to my whānau, my tūpuna and generations to come,” she said.

Katya Hutton (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Kura) from Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland is undertaking her Master’s looking at the impact of using Māori genomic information to improve the accuracy of cancer immunotherapy predictions for Māori and Pasifika patients.

Ariana Drabble. Supplied / Cancer Society

Current biomarkers guide treatment decisions and predict treatment responses but rely on global DNA reference databases that lack representation from Indigenous populations. If we don’t take into account the natural variability among underrepresented communities when using DNA reference databases to interpret genomic biomarkers, there is a risk that we lose the precision in our precision health approach.

“This could lead inappropriate care for them,” Hutton said.

“My goal is to accelerate precision care and precision heath research to ensure that every patient in Aotearoa – no matter what age, sex, ethnicity or ancestry – is getting the best care they can get.”

Cancer Society director of research and innovation, Christelle Jolly said the awards empower Māori researchers to pursue the questions that matter most to their communities.

“Each of these projects has the potential to directly improve cancer outcomes for whānau. This is why investing in a strong and supported Māori cancer research workforce matters so much.”

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Tumuaki (chief executive) Anna-Marie Ruhe said the organisation is immensely proud to stand alongside these emerging researchers whose work carries the aspirations of their whānau, hapū, and iwi.

Their projects demonstrate what becomes possible when mātauranga Māori and scientific innovation are supported to flourish, she said.

“These awards are not just an investment in individual researchers – they are an investment in a future where Māori leadership in cancer research is strong, visible and transformative. When Māori are empowered to ask the questions that matter to our communities, we move closer to a health system where whānau Māori can access care, treatments, and solutions that truly work for them.”

As part of the award, each master’s scholarship will last for one year and will comprise:

  • Stipend of $35,000
  • Tuition fees of $10,000

Each PhD scholarship will last for three years and will comprise:

  • Stipend of $40,000 per year
  • Tuition fees of $10,000 per year
  • Tikanga contribution of $10,000 across the course of the award

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Qatar Airways, Emirates flights to Doha and Dubai cancelled amid Iran attacks

Source: Radio New Zealand

Emirates has cancelled flights through Doha and Dubai. Thierry Monasse

A Qatar Airways 777 and two Emirates A380 planes are stuck in Auckland after the airlines were forced to cancel flights through Doha and Dubai amid the Iran attacks.

“Auckland Airport is supporting those airlines with aircraft parking and operational assistance while services are paused and airlines work through their plans to resume flying,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

  • Are you a New Zealander in an affected region? Email iWitness@rnz.co.nz

“Airlines will be working to rebook affected travellers,” the Auckland Airport spokesperson said.

“We encourage anyone due to travel through the Middle East in the coming days to check directly with their airline or travel agent for the latest updates.

“Other international flights are operating as scheduled.”

It comes as Dubai’s international airport and its landmark Burj Al Arab hotel sustained damage as overnight Iranian retaliatory attacks spread across the Gulf states and the wider Middle East, reaching beyond US bases and interests.

Dubai is the biggest tourism and trade hub in the Middle East and its airport is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.

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Coronial inquiry into death of 10-month-old Manurewa infant Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering gets underway

Source: Radio New Zealand

A coronial inquiry into the death of a 10-month-old Manurewa infant is underway in Auckland. 123rf.com

A coronial inquiry into the death of 10-month-old Manurewa infant Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering is underway in Auckland.

Poseidyn was rushed to Middlemore Hospital and later moved to Starship Children’s Hospital on the evening of 5 September, 2020, after he was found unresponsive at his South Auckland home.

He died hours later.

In the Auckland Coroner’s Court on Monday, Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon acknowledged the inquiry followed a criminal trial in 2022 where the infant’s father, Anthony Simon Pickering, was acquitted of murdering his son.

“This coronial inquiry was put on hold until the completion of a criminal trial. This can make it very challenging for witnesses and whānau, and I encourage everyone to be mindful of this as we progress through the next few days.”

She said the inquiry was to determine how Hemopo-Pickering died and the circumstances leading up to his death.

“I’m not here to determine civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability.”

Fitzgibbon invited Poseidyn ‘s mother Filoi Huakau to reflect on her son’s life.

“He was gentle, he was soft, he was pure,” Huakau said.

“He’d do this little chuckle at every silly face and noise I made, and had an unforgettable smile that was so contagious and something I choose to cherish every day.

“At just 10 months of age I could feel the love he’d have to give if given the chance to.”

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Officer accused of kidnapping ex-wife avoids disciplinary action, keeps job

Source: Radio New Zealand

The IPCA released a summary of a police investigation into the officer, overseen by the authority, on Monday (file photo). hamilton, auckland, station, office, precinct, municipal, new zealand, nz, sign, building, editorial, symbol, logo, city, street

The police watchdog has criticised police for not disciplining an officer who allegedly kidnapped his ex-wife.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of a police investigation into the officer, overseen by the authority, on Monday.

The investigation centred on allegations the officer possessed child exploitation material and committed family harm against both his ex-wife and ex-partner.

“The police investigation found there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation that the officer was ever in possession of objectionable material. Additionally, the investigation determined that there was insufficient evidence to charge the officer with assaulting his ex-partner.

“However, the investigation did find that there was sufficient evidence to charge the officer with kidnapping, assaulting and threatening his ex-wife.”

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

    • The incidents occurred over several years while they were married, the IPCA said.

    “The kidnapping related to an occasion in 2015 in which the officer prevented his ex-wife from leaving her bedroom. Police ultimately decided to charge the officer with a threatening act, due to any potential assault charge being time-barred.”

    The IPCA agreed with the police’s decision to charge the officer, but said it “expected disciplinary proceedings to follow”.

    “The officer appeared in court and later completed diversion for the charge. Following the proceedings, police indicated that they would not continue with an employment process for the officer, essentially because the incidents occurred before he became a police officer.

    “We disagreed with police, confirming with them that the kidnapping occurred while the officer was in fact employed by police and that he also acknowledged a criminal offence through the diversion process at the same time.”

    The authority said the officer met with the “employment decisionmaker” to respond to the concerns raised.

    “During the meeting, police concluded that the officer’s actions did not warrant any disciplinary action. The process was formally concluded without the Authority being given an opportunity to comment on the outcome.

    “The Authority subsequently expressed concern to police about the outcome, but acknowledges that ultimately, that is a matter for police as the employer.”

    Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said in a statement to RNZ the matter was investigated by police’s National Integrity Unit, independently of the officer’s district.

    “Investigators found no evidence to support the claim of possession of child exploitation material.

    “With regards to the allegations of family harm, the matter was put before police’s Criminal Charging Advisory Panel, and on their recommendation the officer was subsequently charged with a threatening act. He completed diversion for the charge.”

    District staff also sought advice around conducting an employment investigation.

    “The advice received was that because the officer was not employed at the time of the offending, police could not carry out an investigation.

    “A senior member of staff instead had an expectation-setting meeting with the officer.”

    The officer remained employed by police.

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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/2026/03/02/officer-accused-of-kidnapping-ex-wife-avoids-disciplinary-action-keeps-job/

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Split Enz have reunited – two more shows for NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Now the seminal Kiwi band – which includes celebrated song-writing siblings Tim and Neil Finn as well as Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie – have announced shows for Auckland and Wellington.

The will play at TSB Arena, Wellington on Wednesday, 6 May, followed by Spark Arena in Auckland on Saturday, 9 May.

Formed in New Zealand in 1972 before relocating to Australia three years later, Split Enz last live concert in New Zealand was in 2008.

Presale tickets will go on sale from 3 March with general release on 5 March at noon.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/02/split-enz-have-reunited-two-more-shows-for-nz/

Posted on

Strong winds disrupt Cook Strait passenger services

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bluebridge and Interislander in Picton Marlborough sounds RNZ/ Rachel Thomas

Two BlueBridge ferry sailings have been cancelled for passengers due to rough conditions in the Cook Strait.

MetService forecast southerly swells of up to 4m with winds reaching just over 80 km/h.

Strong winds are expected to continue through Tuesday.

BlueBridge sailings from Wellington at 1.30pm on Monday and from Picton at 2pm were affected.

The ferry company was looking to rebook affected customers or add them to standby lists on later sailings. Availability was limited due to “peak season demand”.

KiwiRail was not expecting to cancel is Interislander ferry sailings but some could be delayed.

“While sea conditions may make it a little bumpy at times, cancellations are not expected. The weather conditions are resulting in some delays in departure as we take additional required steps to ensure vehicles are securely loaded for the conditions,” a spokesperson said. Interislander would closely monitor conditions.

No formal weather watches or warnings were in place for the region, MetService’s website showed.

“A southerly flow covers the North Island on Tuesday, while a large high in the Tasman Sea extends over the South Island, its severe weather outlooks said, noting a “strong or gale southeasterly flow” for the offshore Chatham Islands.

Meanwhile, ferry services connecting Eastbourne and Wellington City had been cancelled at least 10am Monday because of the conditions.

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/2026/03/02/strong-winds-disrupt-cook-strait-passenger-services/

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Should third party vehicle insurance be compulsory? Why the costs could outweigh the benefits

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Supporters of compulsory third-party vehicle insurance argue that it will prevent innocent drivers from facing hefty repair bills they can’t afford.

However, recent comments from the transport minister suggest that such a change wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

Chris Bishop told interest.co.nz that the mandatory third-party vehicle insurance wasn’t considered by the government as part of changes to the driver licensing system.

He also said the gains were not necessarily as high as everyone else thought, given the huge number of New Zealanders already had vehicle insurance.

Automobile Association road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said making third-party insurance compulsory was complicated.

He told Nine to Noon it needed very careful consideration as it could add extra costs to both parties.

“When you have something like this, it has the potential to push premiums up for everybody to try and get that coverage,” Thomsen said.

“The last survey that was done in New Zealand looking at this, and it was quite some time ago, we had about 92 percent of drivers having insurance.

“To try and get to 100 percent, probably impossible because even the countries that have compulsory insurance haven’t achieved that.”

Thomsen said an important consideration was the cost of enforcing third-party insurance.

Some of the European countries were getting close to around 98 percent, but there was a catch, he said.

“They have spent a lot in terms of enforcement. They have to have a lot invested in databases that can link up,” Thomsen said.

“Most of the ones that have got that high have camera networks looking at license plates quite extensively. “

Thomsen said just like car registrations or warrant of fitness, while both mandatory, you will never get to 100 percent.

He acknowledged how frustrating it could be to get compensation after a crash with an uninsured driver.

But he said the key question was whether a compulsory system would actually provide more benefits than the costs.

“We don’t think the case has been made for that yet. We would like to see more updated information because most people already have insurance,” Thomsen said.

“We know warrant of fitness, car registrations, those are both mandatory and compulsory and we know not everybody has those. So, we’re never going to be able to get to 100%.

“How much better could it be? I think more information is needed.”

Thomsen also stressed that New Zealand did have a form of compulsory insurance through ACC, which covered the costs of injuries.

He said while Australia had compulsory third-party insurance, it was only for injuries, which was the same as ACC here.

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/2026/03/02/should-third-party-vehicle-insurance-be-compulsory-why-the-costs-could-outweigh-the-benefits/

Posted on

Tyres slashed on three ambulances during Manukau break-in

Source: Radio New Zealand

St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Police are searching for a group of people who slashed the tyres of ambulances in South Auckland this weekend.

They said the offenders broke into a gated yard at Hato Hone St John’s Manukau Station on Saturday night, puncturing five tyres across three ambulances.

“These are destructive actions, and consequences of actions such as this can put people’s lives at risk,” Senior Sergeant Roelof Burger said.

“As the vehicles are inoperable for a period of time, this impacts St John’s ability to respond to those who are in need of medical attention within our community.”

But St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful.

“Thankfully, this incident did not severely impact our emergency ambulance response, and we remain available to respond in an emergency,” he said.

Police are seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from the nearby Plunket Ave and Wiri Station Road to help identify the people responsible.

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/2026/03/02/tyres-slashed-on-three-ambulances-during-manukau-break-in/

Posted on

The Detail: Net fishing is in, then out again as National Party does a backflip

Source: Radio New Zealand

A ring net fishing boat in Northland. Seafood NZ 

National has announced that, if re-elected, it would ban ring-net fishing in some areas of the Hauraki Gulf, but the policy they’ve promised to reverse was their own

The battle has been long – fish versus fishing.

Now, the fight over the future of the Hauraki Gulf has erupted again, this time over politics, promises and what policy critics call a backflip.

Nine months out from the election, the National Party has pledged to ban the controversial practice of ring-netting in 12 high protection zones and to review rules around bottom trawling corridors. Currently, two high-protection zones can be accessed by five commercial fishers.

Announced by conservation minister Tama Potaka, the new policy pushes against a decision his own government made last year and comes as a “confusing” blow to Seafood New Zealand.

“The health of our oceans and the sustainability of our fisheries resources are absolutely critical to us,” Seafood New Zealand chief executive Lisa Futschek tells ‘The Detail’. “Without that, we don’t have businesses, we don’t create jobs and we don’t supply healthy protein to Kiwis,

“We work really hard on these credentials, but the policy reversal… I really do question whether it is about sustainability.”

She says the five fishers allowed to fish in the two high-protection areas “run small family businesses, they have been fishing in the area for decades, it’s really low impact, they have small boats… and their nets are hand set and hauled”.

“It’s hard to argue this is a sustainability measure,” Futschek says. “It’s really unfortunate, because these ring-net fishers were caught in what are now high-protection areas, lines were drawn, their operations weren’t considered and it really is unfair.”

“The exceptions that the government made were just transitions for these guys, so they could adapt their businesses and prepare for some time in the future, when those exceptions were no longer allowed.

“The fact that the National caucus has decided to roll those back early – or certainly they are electioneering on that promise – is really confusing to us, because it isn’t about sustainability and we would like to understand what it is really about.”

Newsroom senior business journalist Andrew Bevin, who is covering the story, tells ‘The Detail’ the policy backflip is a surprise move by the National Party.

“It’s not often you see someone campaigning to undo their own decision as an election policy,” says Bevin, whose story ran under the headline ‘Fisheries emerges as unlikely election battleground’.

“To come out with a fisheries policy nine months before the election tells you that this is something we are going to have a real discussion about this year.”

He says National has opted to campaign for this new policy, because the current situation is “just so unpopular”.

“It’s become a poster child of what has been seen as an anti-environmental agenda from the coalition and this perceived favouring of industry over fishing rights for the public – recreational fishermen, who are cut out of these high protection areas.”

Environmental groups, scientists and recreational fishers have long been vocal that the Gulf is under pressure like never before.

They point to declining biodiversity, stressed fish stocks and seabeds scarred by trawling, but Futschek argues that commercial fishers are being unfairly painted as ocean villains when, in their view, they’re among the most regulated fishers in the world.

“To say that the commercial fishing industry is responsible for the decline in biodiversity and ecosystems in the Gulf is simply wrong,” she says. “Putting the blame at our feet is completely unfair and I reject that.”

She says quotas, monitoring and strict rules already govern what they can catch – and further bans could cripple businesses, coastal jobs and food supply chains.

She believes the current setup works.

“New Zealand can be hugely proud of a quota-management system that has seen our stocks revive, has seen us fishing sustainably, has seen us the envy of the world, really, in terms of the way we manage our fishery.”

She says the seafood industry is adapting – trialling new gear, reducing seabed impact, investing in sustainability – but trust, she admits, is harder to rebuild than a fish stock.

That may be the real battle here. Not just fish versus fishing – but credibility versus suspicion.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/02/the-detail-net-fishing-is-in-then-out-again-as-national-party-does-a-backflip/

Posted on

NZ share market falls in first trading since US-Israel strikes on Iran

Source: Radio New Zealand

The benchmark NZX50 fell 1 percent in early trading, or 145 points. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The New Zealand share market has opened sharply lower following the latest conflict in the Middle East.

The benchmark NZX50 opened down 1 percent, before extending its losses to be down 1.3 percent mid-morning.

Market heavyweights Auckland Airport, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and Infratil led the market down.

The New Zealand dollar, along with the Australian dollar, was also weaker as investors looked to reduce their global risk exposure.

The Kiwi fell 0.8 percent to be 59.5 cents against the United States dollar, while the Australian dollar fell more than 1 percent against the US dollar in early trade.

Investors tend to sell riskier assets during times of geopolitical volatility, with money diverted to safe haven investments like bonds.

Oil prices are also expected to rise when international trading resumes.

In an early morning note, BNZ senior interest rate strategist Stuart Ritson said financial markets began the week “facing heightened uncertainty”.

“The scale of the attacks, and Iran’s response, has exceeded expectations, pointing to further demand for safe-haven assets and upward pressure on oil prices,” he said.

“With President Trump calling for regime change and signalling the risk of a protracted conflict, the range of potential outcomes has widened, and will likely weigh on risk-sensitive assets.”

Oil prices had already moved higher prior to the attacks, Ritson said.

Brent crude – the global benchmark for oil – closed more than 2 percent higher at US$72.50 per barrel ahead of the attacks, and prices were expected to rise sharply.

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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/2026/03/02/nz-share-market-falls-in-first-trading-since-us-israel-strikes-on-iran/

Posted on

Tyres slashes on three ambulanceduring Manukau break-in

Source: Radio New Zealand

St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Police are searching for a group of people who slashed the tyres of ambulances in South Auckland this weekend.

They said the offenders broke into a gated yard at Hato Hone St John’s Manukau Station on Saturday night, puncturing five tyres across three ambulances.

“These are destructive actions, and consequences of actions such as this can put people’s lives at risk,” Senior Sergeant Roelof Burger said.

“As the vehicles are inoperable for a period of time, this impacts St John’s ability to respond to those who are in need of medical attention within our community.”

But St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful.

“Thankfully, this incident did not severely impact our emergency ambulance response, and we remain available to respond in an emergency,” he said.

Police are seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from the nearby Plunket Ave and Wiri Station Road to help identify the people responsible.

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/2026/03/02/tyres-slashes-on-three-ambulanceduring-manukau-break-in/

Posted on

The Detail: Net fishing is in, then out again

Source: Radio New Zealand

A ring net fishing boat in Northland. Seafood NZ 

National has announced that, if re-elected, it would ban ring-net fishing in some areas of the Hauraki Gulf, but the policy they’ve promised to reverse was their own

The battle has been long – fish versus fishing.

Now, the fight over the future of the Hauraki Gulf has erupted again, this time over politics, promises and what policy critics call a backflip.

Nine months out from the election, the National Party has pledged to ban the controversial practice of ring-netting in 12 high protection zones and to review rules around bottom trawling corridors. Currently, two high-protection zones can be accessed by five commercial fishers.

Announced by conservation minister Tama Potaka, the new policy pushes against a decision his own government made last year and comes as a “confusing” blow to Seafood New Zealand.

“The health of our oceans and the sustainability of our fisheries resources are absolutely critical to us,” Seafood New Zealand chief executive Lisa Futschek tells ‘The Detail’. “Without that, we don’t have businesses, we don’t create jobs and we don’t supply healthy protein to Kiwis,

“We work really hard on these credentials, but the policy reversal… I really do question whether it is about sustainability.”

She says the five fishers allowed to fish in the two high-protection areas “run small family businesses, they have been fishing in the area for decades, it’s really low impact, they have small boats… and their nets are hand set and hauled”.

“It’s hard to argue this is a sustainability measure,” Futschek says. “It’s really unfortunate, because these ring-net fishers were caught in what are now high-protection areas, lines were drawn, their operations weren’t considered and it really is unfair.”

“The exceptions that the government made were just transitions for these guys, so they could adapt their businesses and prepare for some time in the future, when those exceptions were no longer allowed.

“The fact that the National caucus has decided to roll those back early – or certainly they are electioneering on that promise – is really confusing to us, because it isn’t about sustainability and we would like to understand what it is really about.”

Newsroom senior business journalist Andrew Bevin, who is covering the story, tells ‘The Detail’ the policy backflip is a surprise move by the National Party.

“It’s not often you see someone campaigning to undo their own decision as an election policy,” says Bevin, whose story ran under the headline ‘Fisheries emerges as unlikely election battleground’.

“To come out with a fisheries policy nine months before the election tells you that this is something we are going to have a real discussion about this year.”

He says National has opted to campaign for this new policy, because the current situation is “just so unpopular”.

“It’s become a poster child of what has been seen as an anti-environmental agenda from the coalition and this perceived favouring of industry over fishing rights for the public – recreational fishermen, who are cut out of these high protection areas.”

Environmental groups, scientists and recreational fishers have long been vocal that the Gulf is under pressure like never before.

They point to declining biodiversity, stressed fish stocks and seabeds scarred by trawling, but Futschek argues that commercial fishers are being unfairly painted as ocean villains when, in their view, they’re among the most regulated fishers in the world.

“To say that the commercial fishing industry is responsible for the decline in biodiversity and ecosystems in the Gulf is simply wrong,” she says. “Putting the blame at our feet is completely unfair and I reject that.”

She says quotas, monitoring and strict rules already govern what they can catch – and further bans could cripple businesses, coastal jobs and food supply chains.

She believes the current setup works.

“New Zealand can be hugely proud of a quota-management system that has seen our stocks revive, has seen us fishing sustainably, has seen us the envy of the world, really, in terms of the way we manage our fishery.”

She says the seafood industry is adapting – trialling new gear, reducing seabed impact, investing in sustainability – but trust, she admits, is harder to rebuild than a fish stock.

That may be the real battle here. Not just fish versus fishing – but credibility versus suspicion.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/02/the-detail-net-fishing-is-in-then-out-again/

Posted on

Major through road in Lower Hutt closes for next nine months

Source: Radio New Zealand

The works have already drawn the ire of local residents. Pretoria Gordon

A major through road in Lower Hutt will be closed for the next nine months as part of a series of road works in Hutt City.

From 2 March until December 2026, the intersection between Queens Dr and High St will be closed while the existing roundabout is converted to a traffic lighted intersection as part of the new Melling Interchange.

The works are part of the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi project, formerly known as RiverLink.

“During the closure period, we will be relocating underground services like power, water, gas, and fibre; installing new drainage and stormwater systems; new footpaths, traffic islands, new signage and road markings to direct road users around the upgraded layout once we’ve replaced the existing roundabout with traffic lights,” the group said in January.

It said it expected these works to be among the most disruptive of those being undertaken as part of the Melling Interchange.

“We’re acutely aware of not only the impact it’ll have on how people move around the area, but of the cumulative impact of all the work going on around the Melling area and CBD.

“The only other way we could make the necessary changes to the intersection would involve 18 to 24 months of stop/go traffic management, weekend and night closures, and ultimately, a less safe environment for you to drive through and for our crews to work in. This closure will allow us to get far more work done in a much shorter period.”

The $1.5 billion Te Awa Kairangi project will include flood protection and river restoration work, urban revitalisation, and improvement to road and rail infrastructure, as well as new cycleways and pathways. It is not expected to be completed until some time in 2031.

But the works have already drawn the ire of local residents who have reported roadworks to date have caused gridlock and long delays.

It comes as commuters have been venting their frustration about a suite of works causing long delays.

There have been reports that the traffic sometimes backs up the off-ramps and causes delays on the motorway.

Some say their commute times have tripled, hitting set after set of road works.

But others say the problems are worth bearing for the improvements the work will bring.

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/2026/03/02/major-through-road-in-lower-hutt-closes-for-next-nine-months/

Posted on

Live: US-Israeli strikes on Iran could last ‘weeks’, 48 Iranian leaders and 3 US soldiers killed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow the latest with our live blog above

Israel and the US have begun a fresh waves of strikes on Iran, targetting the Iranian leadership, its air defences and its ballistic missile capabilities.

The US military says it has sunk nine Iranian warships and is “going after the rest” in attacks which US President Donald Trump says have killed 48 top Iranian leaders – including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Three US service members have also been killed and five seriously injured.

Trump said he envisages the conflict could last four weeks.

The attacks have sparked warnings about KiwiSaver, fuel and inflation in New Zealand.

Major Middle Eastern airports have been shut and regional gateways including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi were closed.

MFAT is advising New Zealanders in affected areas to shelter in place and leave when it is possible to do so.ces and its ballistic missile capabilities.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Saturday, which US President Donald Trump said were aimed at overturning Tehran’s government.

Follow the latest with our live blog at the top of the page

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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/2026/03/02/live-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-could-last-weeks-48-iranian-leaders-and-3-us-soldiers-killed/