Category: Uncategorized

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Wuxi, the Newest UNESCO City of Music, Charms Europe with 2026 Folk Tour

Source: Media Outreach

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – A high-level cultural delegation from Wuxi, China’s renowned “Home of Erhu,” has completed a landmark two-week musical tour across Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Featuring an over 80-member ensemble from the Wuxi Cultural Exchange Group, the tour represents the city’s most significant international outreach since it was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2025.

Caption: A standing ovation for the Wuxi Cultural Exchange Group at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.

Launched on February 14, the “Chinese Folk Music Odyssey” featured seven major concerts alongside a series of academic and grassroots cultural exchanges. The tour served as a high-level dialogue between the traditional heritage of China’s Jiangnan region and the classical musical heartlands of Europe.

The tour opened at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, where a capacity crowd of 2,000 experienced the vibrant Spring Festival Overture. The ensemble presented a “Chinese Music Feast,” using traditional instruments to paint an auditory “Jiangnan Scroll” of southern Chinese life. In a poignant finale, Chinese fiddles joined forces with local keyed violins to perform the classic Horse Racing. The fusion of Eastern and Western strings brought tears to the eyes of the Chinese diaspora and earned standing ovations from local attendees.

“The melodies possess both natural charm and profound cultural heritage,” noted Belgian music critic Philippe, following six curtain calls. “It is a truly borderless musical exchange.”

Beyond the concert halls, the group engaged with European pop culture in the heart of Brussels’ Comic Strip district. A “flash mob” titled Tintin’s Encounter with Jiangnan Music saw musicians performing alongside iconic murals of Tintin, engaging local youth and residents through social media-friendly cultural interaction.

Caption: Local residents experienced traditional Chinese instruments at the street event.

The journey continued through Germany’s elite venues, including Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and the Tonhalle Düsseldorf, showcasing the technical precision of Chinese folk orchestration. In the Austrian Tyrol, the tour took an improvisational turn as Wuxi musicians performed alongside local artists against the backdrop of the Alps, a live demonstration of the “beauty without borders”.

The tour concluded on February 26 in Vienna, where the ensemble hosted the “Dreamy Jiangnan” cultural salon at the Wiener Konzerthaus. The event paired musical performances with an interactive exhibition of Wuxi’s intangible cultural heritage, featuring traditional embroidery and clay figurines. The delegation also visited the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna for the “Jiangnan Charm, Harmonious Resonance” China-Austria Music Exchange event. Through a series of academic dialogues with faculty and students, both sides engaged in a meaningful cultural encounter. These interactions went beyond simple performances, significantly deepening mutual understanding and strengthening the musical ties between East and West.

By integrating the “Voice of China” into the “World Symphony,” the Wuxi Cultural Exchange Group has opened a new chapter in Wuxi’s enduring musical engagement with the world.

Hashtag: #WuxiInformationOffice

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/28/wuxi-the-newest-unesco-city-of-music-charms-europe-with-2026-folk-tour/

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Valle Venia presents new song by LPS feat. Lara: Where will it take me

Source: Media Outreach

NEUSTADT AN DER WEINSTRASSE, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 27 February 2026 – The song describes the challenge of trusting the flow, relying on oneself, following one’s own values with confidence.

Valle Venia presents new song by LPS feat. Lara: Where will it take me Picture: Leo Philipp Schmidt

In a time when everything seems to begin to dissolve, when disorientation prevails more than ever and when one is searching for something to hold on to, certainty can be found in uncertainty.

Lara’s authentic interpretation, with her multi-faceted voice, conveys confidence in finding a way for oneself and others.

In the faceless, noisy crowd, where glances are not returned and touches are not felt, one is pulled away by an invisible hand.

Multilink: https://valevenia.lnk.to/wherewillittakeme
Youtube: https://youtu.be/0MVTgXO2E_M
Website: www.valle-venia.com

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/valle-venia-presents-new-song-by-lps-feat-lara-where-will-it-take-me/

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Farmers calling for same animal welfare standards on local and imported pork

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZPork has previously warned that local producers were struggling against a flood of lower-welfare imports. 123RF

Farmers are renewing calls for the Government to enforce the same animal welfare standards that local pig farmers face on imported pork.

A group of farmers, pork producers and advocates wrote to the Prime Minister and government ministers this week, calling for a “level playing field” among locally-produced and imported product.

The pork industry has wanted this for years now, with industry group NZPork warning that local producers were struggling against a flood of lower-welfare imports.

NZPork estimated that more than 63 percent of pork consumed in Aotearoa came from countries like United States, Spain, Germany and Canada.

In some of these countries, farmers still used sow stalls (narrow cages for pregnant pigs) which New Zealand banned, and had smaller space requirements or longer periods allowed for sows in farrowing crates (that have just given birth to protect the piglets).

It came after last year’s controversial move by the Government to allow farmers a decade grace period before enforcing stricter welfare regulations.

Waikato dairy farmer Walt Cavendish was about to transition his Matamata farming operation into free range pork farming.

He signed the letter addressed to the Government, having said farmers, consumers and the animals deserve high welfare standards.

“New Zealand led the way in 1999 with the Animal Welfare Act. It was a world leading piece of legislation,” he said.

“We made quite a clear decision as a country that animal welfare matters. And we seem to have gone down the road of insisting on that for our farmers, but not insisting that for our imports.”

“For these family farming families, they’re trying to compete with product that would just not be allowed to be farmed here.”

Cavendish had met with officials on the matter previously, and said New Zealand could legally enforce what was called a public morals exemption on importers

“The biggest argument that’s put is the trade implications.

“They’re just so nervous about it.

“Everyone keeps using the trade argument.”

But he said it would be unlikely that those exporting nations would take retaliatory action in response, considering the New Zealand market’s small scale.

“It’s just an argument to try and stop this going further, and that’s why I’m quite firm that the public morals exemption is our best way forward.

“And realistically, with such a low amount of the export from these countries, that they’re hardly going to worry about it.”

He believed people’s fears that pork prices would go up even further if we ditched imports was a “false narrative”, as the national pig herd would likely increase to meet demand.

“Because ultimately, you would be able to produce more, so the cost of production would go down.

“We don’t really feel that the price will go through the roof at all, and there are examples that Animal Policy International have done in their research, where we’re talking peanuts, you know, very little. We’re talking cents, not dollars, in relation to the price adjustment per kilogram of pork.”

But he acknowledged it was a significant concern for cash-strapped consumers, though many of them were passionate about animal welfare.

“One of the big things I get from people that comment to me is their fear of the price going up, because they can’t even now afford a lot of the meat products on the shelf.

Trade minister Todd McClay said if New Zealand introduced requirements based on our methods of production, this could potentially undermine our efforts to prevent other countries from applying unjustified measures that could impact negatively on our agricultural exports.

“Last year animal product exports worth $42 billion reached plates around the globe, making up more than half of our total goods exports.”

“New Zealand is a global leader in farmed animal welfare standards, which underpin our trade reputation and the high quality of our global exports.”

McClay said New Zealand works with other countries to improve animal welfare standards through our membership in the World Organisation for Animal Health and through bilateral collaboration.

“It is important to recognise that different countries have different production systems. Approaches to caring for animals are adapted to local conditions and applying the same standard can sometimes result in different welfare outcomes.”

Food and Agriculture Organization’s latest statistics show New Zealand imported more than 47,000 tonnes of pork in 2023.

The “Fair for Farmers” campaign was launched at the Northland Fieldays in Dargaville today that ran into Saturday.

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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/2026/02/26/farmers-calling-for-same-animal-welfare-standards-on-local-and-imported-pork/

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Joint statement on AI Generated Imagery

Source: Privacy Commissioner

AI systems generating realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent has led to the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner co-signing a joint statement on the issue. The concerns about these technologies include the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery and potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups.

The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that these systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules. The statement also notes that fundamental principles should apply when using AI content generation systems, including implementing robust safeguards, transparency, and addressing specific risks to children.

Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy

The co-signatories below are issuing this Joint Statement in response to serious concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent.

While AI can bring meaningful benefits for individuals and society, recent developments – particularly AI image and video generation integrated into widely accessible social media platforms – have enabled the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content featuring real individuals. We are especially concerned about potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups, such as cyber-bullying and/or exploitation.

Expectations for Organisations

The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that such systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules.

We also highlight that the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery can constitute a criminal offence in many jurisdictions.

Whilst specific legal requirements vary by jurisdiction, fundamental principles should guide all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems, including:

  • Implement robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of personal information and generation of non-consensual intimate imagery and other harmful materials, particularly where children are depicted.
  • Ensure meaningful transparency about AI system capabilities, safeguards, acceptable uses and the consequences of misuse.
  • Provide effective and accessible mechanisms for individuals to request the removal of harmful content involving personal information and respond rapidly to such requests.
  • Address specific risks to children through implementing enhanced safeguards and providing clear, age-appropriate information to children, parents, guardians and educators.

Coordinated Response

The harms arising from non-consensual generation of intimate, defamatory, or otherwise harmful content depicting real individuals are significant and call for urgent regulatory attention.

To encourage the development of innovative and privacy-protective AI, the co-signatories of this statement are united in expressing their concern about the potential harms from the misuse of AI content generation systems. The co-signatories aim to share information on their approaches to addressing these concerns that can include enforcement, policy and education, as appropriate and to the extent that such sharing is consistent with applicable laws. This reflects our shared commitment and joint effort in addressing a global risk.

Conclusion

We call on organisations to engage proactively with regulators, implement robust safeguards from the outset, and ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity, safety, and other fundamental rights – particularly for the most vulnerable of our global society.

List of signatories 

  • Information and Data Protection Office of the Republic of Albania
  • Andorran Data Protection Agency, Andorra
  • Agency of Access to Public Information – DPA Argentina
  • Ombudsman’s Office of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina 
  • Office of the Information Commissioner, Queensland, Australia
  • Basque Data Protection Authority, Spain
  • Data Protection Authority, Belgium
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Bermuda
  • National Data Protection Agency, Brazil
  • Commission for Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Bulgaria
  • Commission for Information Technology and Freedoms, Burkina Faso
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
  • Commission on Access to Information of Quebec, Canada
  • National Commission of Data Protection, Republic of Cabo Verde
  • Catalan Data Protection Authority, Catalonia (Spain)
  • Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia
  • Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency
  • Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, Cyprus
  • Superintendence of Personal Data Protection of Ecuador
  • European Data Protection Board
  • European Data Protection Supervisor
  • National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties, France
  • Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Germany
  • Data Protection Commission Ghana
  • Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
  • Office of the Data Protection Authority, Bailiwick of Guernsey
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (SAR), China
  • The Icelandic Data Protection Authority
  • Data Protection Commission, Ireland
  • Isle of Man Information Commissioner
  • Israeli Privacy Protection Authority
  • Italian Data Protection Authority
  • Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner, Bailiwick of Jersey
  • Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Kenya
  • Information and Privacy Agency, Kosovo
  • Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner of Malta
  • Mauritius Data Protection Office
  • Institute for Transparency, Access to Public Information and Personal Data Protection of the State of Mexico and Municipalities, Mexico
  • Institute for Transparency, Access to Public Information and Personal Data Protection of Nuevo León, Mexico
  • Personal Data Protection Unit of the Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat, Mexico
  • Personal Data Protection Authority, Monaco
  • Dutch Data Protection Authority, Netherlands
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand
  • Nigeria Data Protection Commission
  • Norwegian Data Protection Authority
  • The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, Panama
  • National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data, Peru
  • National Privacy Commission, Philippines
  • Personal Data Protection Office, Poland
  • Portuguese Data Protection Supervisory Authority, Portugal
  • Personal Data Protection Commission of the Republic of Singapore
  • Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia
  • Personal Information Protection Commission, Republic of Korea
  • Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner, Switzerland
  • ADGM Office of Data Protection, Emirate of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
  • Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, Emirate of Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
  • UK Information Commissioner’s Office, United Kingdom
  • Regulatory and Control Unit for Personal Data, Uruguay

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/23/joint-statement-on-ai-generated-imagery/

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comforte AG and ITSS Global Launch Solution to Minimize Sensitive Data Exposure for Temenos Transact Banks

Source: Media Outreach

New integration adds data-centric protection to Temenos Transact, streamlining compliance, secure modernization, and AI analytics.

WIESBADEN, GERMANY – EQS Newswire – 18 February 2026 – comforte AG, a global leader in data-centric security, and ITSS Global, a premier Temenos delivery partner, have announced a collaboration to help retail, commercial and private banks using Temenos Transact eliminate the risks associated with clear-text personally identifiable information (PII) and payment data across core banking systems and their connected environments.
As banks accelerate digital transformation and data-driven programs such as fraud prevention and AI, exposure of sensitive data across systems has become a growing concern. Regulators and industry standards worldwide are also raising the bar for how banks protect sensitive data and prove control across connected environments, including PCI DSS, privacy requirements, and resilience expectations. The comforte and ITSS collaboration addresses these challenges with a co-developed solution that extends data protection into Temenos Transact environments without complex customization.
Delivered by ITSS as part of its Temenos services, the integration leverages comforte’s TAMUNIO technology for centralized policy management, tokenization, and controlled de-tokenization, keeping sensitive data protected across environments while still supporting reporting, analytics, and downstream processing, including fraud detection workflows and AI-driven insights built on Transact data.

Turning Security into an Enabler
“The modern threat landscape demands a shift from securing systems to securing the data itself,” said Henning Horst, CTO at comforte. “Today’s regulators and auditors expect readable data to stay out of places it doesn’t belong. Together with ITSS, we help banks prove that control and move faster on analytics, fraud initiatives, and AI programs using protected data.”

Safe Implementation into Temenos Transact
“As banks modernize their Temenos environments, the real security challenge is no longer the perimeter. It is protecting sensitive data as it moves across core systems, analytics platforms, and the cloud,” said Somasundaram M, Regional Sales Director, MEA at ITSS. “Through our partnership with comforte, we enable Temenos clients to embed data-centric tokenization directly into their transformation journeys. This significantly reduces breach exposure, supports compliance with evolving regulatory mandates such as PCI DSS 4.0 and GDPR, and allows banks to adopt cloud, analytics, and AI-driven use cases without compromising data sovereignty or performance.”

To learn more or request a briefing, visit comforte.com. You can alsocontact us via email: sales@comforte.com / marketing@ITSSglobal.com.

Hashtag: #comforteAG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/comforte-ag-and-itss-global-launch-solution-to-minimize-sensitive-data-exposure-for-temenos-transact-banks/

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A new major streaming service is coming to New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A new streaming service will launch in New Zealand this year – HBO Max – with Sky TV confirming the end of its deal with the major programme provider.

The HBO Max direct-to-consumer streaming service will be available mid-2026, Warner Bros. Discovery announced on Tuesday.

Details about subscriptions and pricing will be shared down the line, it said in a statement.

Scene imagery from Season 2 of The Pitt, on Neon.

Supplied

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/a-new-major-streaming-service-is-coming-to-new-zealand/

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Black Foils boss Peter Burling first to earn SailGP demerit points for Perth scrape with Swiss

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand SailGP

4pm Saturday, 14 February & Sunday, 15 February

Wynyard Point, Auckland

Live updates on RNZ

Black Foils driver Peter Burling has found himself on the wrong side of history, after the incident that sidelined his SailGP boat at Perth last month.

Early in the opening race of the new season, New Zealand and Switzerland collided at high speed, with the Swiss shearing the transom off ‘Amokura’.

While the Europeans were able to repair their F50 cataraman overnight and return to the water for the second day of competition, the Kiwis were consigned to their sheds, copping the blame for the melee and earning penalty points for causing it.

They finished the weekend with no championship points and faced a nervous process to bring their boat to full integrity before this weekend’s home event at Auckland’s Wynyard Point.

The punishment took on an even more personal note for Burling, when he became the first recipient of demerit points under the league’s new ‘Super Licence’ for drivers, similar to Formula One motor-racing requirements.

Black Foils driver Peter Burling at the New Zealand SailGP media conference. Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“I seem to have become the first driver with the ‘honour’ of getting demerit points on my license,” he told the official media conference. “It’s a whole new thing and I’m not even sure how many I can get in a season – I should probably work that out at some stage.

“Got the email the other day – all part of the fun.”

Burling revealed to RNZ he received three demerit points, but bore no grudges.

“To me, the demerit points and the new licensing system that SailGP has put in is a real sign of maturity in the league. It’s a really cool step to see the league putting protocols in, so people have to go through a process to get on the F50 and be responsible for one of the roles onboard.

Black Foils boat ‘Amokura’ is launched for testing before New Zealand SailGP at Auckland’s Wynyard Point. Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“Everyone has to pass a minimum standard in terms of their knowledge of the boat, knowledge of how the league operates… to be responsible for that role. It’s a good step for the league and also holding people accountable with its demerit points.

“Everyone’s going to have the odd crash. If you’re not bringing the boats close together, you’re not really racing.”

Burling still didn’t agree with the decision to penalise his team, but organisers seemed happy to play up the actual or perceived rivalry between the Kiwis and the Swiss.

“On the water, we got deemed that we didn’t turn quick enough, which – for me – is in the grey zone, if you look back at a lot of other incidents,” he said. “That’s the umpire’s call.

“In sailing, there’s Rule 14 as well, which is, if you can avoid a collision, you should. For me, at some stage, you can’t just disappear and I feel like there were two parties to the incident.

“That’s all in the past now, we’ve got to live by the decision and move forward.”

At the media conference, Burling was seated at the far end of the couch to Swiss counterpart Seb Schneiter, a detail that didn’t escape the attention of NZ-born Italy driver Phil Robertson.

“Why have you sat them so far apart?” Robertson chirped.

“We obviously spoke in the protest and a little bit after sailing,” Schneiter explained. “We had a birthday party last weekend and Pete was on the invite list, but he didn’t make it unfortunately.

“I think it’s part of the nature of racing these boats at such high speeds. It’s going to happen and, as Pete said, we have to learn as a league.

“No-one wants the boats to come together. Either you’re right or wrong, and there’s certainly a lot to learn from this.”

Burling was quick to explain his absence: “Just to set the story straight, last weekend, the weather was a bit nice down at Coromandel, so we decided with the family to stay there and not make the trip back to Auckland.”

He explained to RNZ that the Black Foils had history with the Swiss, who also clipped Amokura during a start at Abu Dhabi last November.

“Why have you sat them so far apart?” Peter Burling (extreme right) address the media conference, with Swiss counterpart Seb Schneiter (extreme left). Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“That’s two from two events they’ve hit that corner of the boat,” Burling chuckled. “Hopefully, we can keep apart this weekend and, hopefully as a league, we can learn from the incidents.

“The incident we had you probably see 5-10 times a weekend, where people make a tiny mistake on the timing and other boats help alleviate the problem, in terms of two boats not coming together, and both get to carry and race.

“Hopefully, the Swiss learn from that.”

Ironically, New Zealand have gained one tiny benefit from their misfortune.

With a weather bomb hovering over the North Island on Friday, SailGP teams lost their only official practice day in Auckland.

The only boats allowed on the water were the home team, Spain and Germany, which had all undergone major modifications since Perth and needed to test out repairs, before racing began on Saturday.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/black-foils-boss-peter-burling-first-to-earn-sailgp-demerit-points-for-perth-scrape-with-swiss/

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FEV Analysis: TCO Cut by Up to 33 Percent Through Range Extender Trucks

Source: Media Outreach

AACHEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 11 February 2026 – FEV has published new analysis results on the economic efficiency of electrified commercial vehicles as part of an internal research program. The evaluation of extensive techno-economic data shows: depending on the driving cycle, through trucks with range extender architecture (REEV/Hybrid BEV) the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be reduced by up to 33 percent compared to conventional diesel trucks – while also significantly reducing CO₂emissions. Even in the most unfavorable long-haul scenario, the TCO declined by approximately 14 percent.

Depending on the driving cycle through range extender trucks TCO can be reduced by up to 33 percent. Source: FEV

Calculations are based on realistic European usage profiles with overnight charging at industrial electricity prices of around 19 cents per kilowatt hour. In regions with lower electricity costs, the advantage is correspondingly higher.

Cost-effectiveness without megawatt charging infrastructure

A key lever of the REEV architecture is the reduced battery size compared to purely battery-electric long-haul trucks. While typical BEV trucks require battery capacities of around 560 kWh, a REEV truck can manage with around 280 kWh. Even with slower AC charging at 22 kW, around 240 kWh can be recharged overnight – enough to power the vehicle almost entirely electrically for the next day. Thus, a megawatt charging infrastructure is not necessary for economical operation.

Significant TCO advantage in the cost-critical commercial vehicle market

The economic advantage of the range extender architecture results from several factors. The smaller battery of a REEV truck reduces vehicle costs and weight while increasing payload. Also, the high proportion of electric driving enables low energy costs, especially when charging at depots at night at industrial electricity prices.

Due to their low dependence on public high-performance charging infrastructure, REEV trucks can be seamlessly integrated into existing depot structures.

Hashtag: #FEV

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/fev-analysis-tco-cut-by-up-to-33-percent-through-range-extender-trucks/

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NZ’s biggest triathlon festival toasts 20 years – Challenge Wānaka

Source: Challenge Wānaka

Next week’s anticipated Challenge Wānaka marks 20 years of New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, which has attracted more than 25,000 athletes and injected more than $54 million into the local economy over the past two decades.

Part of the global Challenge Family – which runs middle and long-distance triathlon races in more than 30 countries – the Challenge Wānaka Half has been a cornerstone of NZ’s triathlon scene since 2007. It is regarded as a stepping stone for talented young age-group triathletes hoping to qualify for pinnacle world championship events and turn pro. It’s also a key event for the Wānaka community, providing an annual economic boost for the tourism town.

Challenge Wānaka event director Jane Sharman says that while road bikes, wetsuits and race tech have vastly improved over the past two decades, the pulling power of the event for triathletes and spectators remains the same.

“As we reflect on 20 years, it’s very exciting to see how far the festival has come and everything our athletes have achieved,” she says. “Challenge Wānaka has played a part in launching some incredible pro athletes and international racing careers. But it’s also a fantastic grassroots event where anyone can take part, in the most beautiful corner of the world.

“Of course, the youth events have long been a highlight and some of our pro athletes who started out racing in Challenge Wānaka are now watching their own children participate, so it’s very special for them.”

One of those athletes is two-time Challenge Wānaka winner and former Team NZ cyclor Dougal Allan, who will be cheering on his own children, Flynn and Matilda, at the Challenge Wānaka triathlon festival next week. Some 2100 kids will be taking part in the festival this year, from age two and up.

“Competing in and eventually winning Challenge Wānaka in 2016 and 2017 launched my profile into the world of international triathlon,” he says. “Challenge Wānaka was always known as one of the toughest and most honest long-distance triathlon events in the world and winning it was a huge badge of honour. It also led to being invited to race the famous Challenge Roth event in 2017 in Germany, which remains one of the biggest racing experiences of my life.

“Whether it is an athlete’s ambition to race pro or not, Challenge Wānaka offers the opportunity to be part of a very professionally organised event that offers so much across the weekend, from the event village to the crowd support. It is a truly internationally recognised event that’s made very accessible to domestic athletes. While these days I’m no longer competing, it’s great to be coaching some of those athletes lining up for next weekend’s race.”

The event welcomes athletes from all over NZ and the world every year, and some from closer to home, too. Wānaka GP Dr Andrew McLeod has participated in every Challenge Wānaka race since its inception.

“I don’t remember much of that first race in 2007 but I clearly remember crossing the line, already analysing what I’d done wrong, what I’d somehow done right, and how I’d do it better next time,” he recalls. “Twenty years on – and after races across NZ, Australia, North America and Europe – I’m still learning.

“Along the way my wife Karen and I have been to amazing places, met wonderful people, and so often heard the words: ‘You’re from Wānaka? I’ve always wanted to do that event.’ Being part of something that inspires that reaction is pretty special, and it’s probably why I keep coming back.”

This year’s Challenge Wānaka brings together more than 850 athletes competing in the Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half, including 376 athletes in the individual half event. The anticipated professional field features Mike Phillips, Frederic Funk, Jack Moody, Tamara Jewett, Rebecca Clarke, Gabrielle Lumkes, and Lucy Byram. More than 155 teams are also entered, with 18 teams vying for the Gallagher Insurance Corporate Trophy, while friends and family team up for a fun day of swim, bike, and run. Media personality Brodie Kane will take on the 1.9km swim as part of a relay team.  

The 2026 Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half is also an opportunity for age-group athletes to claim a National Title and qualify to wear the silver fern at the 2026 World Championships, as part of the Tri NZ Suzuki Series.

“This year’s event is set to be extra special to celebrate 20 years of Challenge Wānaka,” Sharman says. “This festival has always been about more than racing; it’s about community, resilience and the shared excitement of pushing boundaries in one of the world’s most scenic locations. We’re incredibly proud of the athletes, volunteers and supporters who return year after year to help make Challenge Wānaka a standout on the world triathlon stage.”
 
About Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka
The Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka is one of the world’s most scenic triathlon festivals, held annually in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Lakes region. Featuring a range of events, including the flagship middle-distance triathlon, multisport races, and AquaBike, the festival welcomes athletes of all levels. Operated by the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust, a charitable organisation committed to community wellbeing, the event supports youth, adaptive athletes, and local charities through inclusive sport and recreation initiatives. In 2026, the Challenge Wānaka Festival event will mark its 20th year, taking place from February 19 – February 21. Registrations at  www.challenge-wanaka.com

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/nzs-biggest-triathlon-festival-toasts-20-years-challenge-wanaka/

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Minister to attend Munich Security Conference

Source: New Zealand Government

Defence Minister Judith Collins departs today for Germany to attend the international Munich Security Conference. 

“In a turbulent and unpredictable world, the Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity to debate key security issues that impact New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

“This year the conference brings together global decision-makers and military leaders from more than 100 countries, working to bolster cooperation, collective security and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

During the three-day conference Ms Collins will hold bilateral meetings with a number of New Zealand’s long-standing defence partners, including the United Kingdom’s Secretary of Defence, John Healey, and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte.

She will also speak at a session focused on the interconnected nature of security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

“I look forward to sharing New Zealand’s perspectives on a range of international issues, particularly the interconnected security challenges facing both of our regions such as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and escalating strategic competition. 

“As a small nation reliant on trade at the bottom of the southwest Pacific, we must take every opportunity to sit at the table and advocate for our interests and values.”

Ms Collins will return to New Zealand on 16 February.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/minister-to-attend-munich-security-conference/