Category: MIL-OSI

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Why do nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University

LarsZahnerPhotography/Getty

Growing older often brings unexpected grooming challenges. This is particularly apparent when some areas that, when young, we could otherwise ignore start to develop hair.

This includes our nose and ears, where hair grows thicker and longer as we age. But why do hairs in these areas act like this?

The answer predominantly lies in our sex hormones.

Two types of hair

There are two types of hair that grows across our bodies.

Vellus hair is fine and colourless. This hair (also called “peach fuzz”) grows across most of our body, including our arms and neck.

Terminal hair is stiff, thick and darker. It stands up from our skin and is usually very obvious. Adult males have terminal hair on about 90% of their body, with females growing it on about 30% of their bodies.

Terminal hair stands up when we’re cold (giving goosebumps) and helps trap heat to keep us warm. It also protects us from the sun (such as hair on our scalp), and keeps dust and dirt out of our eyes through eyebrows and eyelashes.

As vellus hair is smaller, thinner and colourless, it is not usually an aesthetic problem (although it can be altered in some diseases). Instead, it is the terminal hair that is often noticed, and the primary target of our razor.

The normal process of hair development involves a growth phase (anagen), follicle-shrinking phase (catagen), and then a short resting phase (telogen) before the hair falls out and is replaced as the cycle begins again. Some 90% of the hair on our body is in the growth phase at any given time.

Nose, ear, eyelash and eyebrow hairs don’t usually grow too long. This is because the growth phase of the follicles only lasts about 100–150 days, meaning there is a limit to how long they can get.

Alternatively, the hair on your head has a growth phase that lasts several years, so it can grow to more than one meter in length if you don’t get it cut.

Why do we have hair in our nose and ears?

We have about 120 hairs growing in each of our nasal cavities, with an average length of about 1 centimetre.

As you breathe through your nostrils, the hair in your nose works with the mucus to block and collect dust, pollen and other particles that could make their way to your lungs.

The hair in the ears also plays a protective role, trapping foreign objects and working with the earwax to facilitate self-cleaning processes.

What is the effect of ageing?

Androgens are a group of sex hormones that play a key role in puberty, development, and sexual health. The most common androgen is testosterone.

These androgens influence hair growth, and are the key to understanding why we have longer and thicker hairs in our nose and ears.

Hairs in different parts of the body respond to androgens differently. Unlike some hairs that are stimulated at puberty (such as pubic hairs and facial hair in males), some hairs, such as the eyelashes, don’t respond at all to androgens. Others increase hair size much slower, like the ear canal hair that can take up to 30 years.

Females have lower levels of androgens in the body, so major hair growth changes are more localised to the underarms and pubic regions.

We don’t have much data to support various conclusions about hair growth in later life, as most studies have focused on why we lose hair (such as balding) rather than why we have too much.

Nonetheless, there are still some hypotheses about why we grow more ear and nose hair as we age.

  1. As we age, the body is exposed to androgens for a long time. This prolonged exposure makes some parts of the body more sensitive to testosterone, potentially stimulating the growth of hairs.

  2. Over time, and long-term exposure to testosterone, some of the fine vellus hairs may undergo a conversion and become the darker, longer terminal hairs. This terminal hair then sticks out of our noses and ears.

  3. Alongside increased levels of androgens as we go through puberty, a protein called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is also released. This protein helps control the amount of testosterone and estrogen reaching your tissues. During ageing, the levels of SHBG levels may decrease faster than androgens, leaving testosterone to stimulate ear and nose hair growth.

  4. Hair simply changes with age. This can result in changes in colour, thinning, and follicle alterations. There might be variations occurring in the follicles that respond to our body’s changing environment, stimulating longer hair growth.

Most of the impact of hairy ears and noses is observed in males, as they have larger amounts of testosterone.

Should we be worried?

It’s not usually a problem. Having a hairy ear (auricular hypertrichosis) does not appear to impact hearing at all. Note that if you are using hearing aids, excessive hair can impact their effectiveness, so in these rarer cases it is worth having a chat with your doctor.

The largest issue appears to be the appearance of these hairs, which can make some people self-conscious.

To address this, avoid plucking hairs out (such as with tweezers), as this can lead to infections, ingrown hairs and inflammation.

Instead, it is safest to reach for the trimmers (or employ laser hair removal processes) to clean up the area a little.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Why do nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age? – https://theconversation.com/why-do-nose-and-ear-hairs-become-longer-and-thicker-as-we-age-270677

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/10/why-do-nose-and-ear-hairs-become-longer-and-thicker-as-we-age-270677/

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Foxton Police taking dangerous bike riding complaints seriously

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute the following to Acting Sergeant Mike Skates, Foxton Police:

Police in Foxton and Foxton Beach are proactively dealing with reports made over bad driving on dirt and quad bikes in the area.

Three bikes have already been impounded, and several young people have been spoken to in relation to the reports. Charges have not been ruled out.

Police would like to urge all quad bike and dirt bike riders to ride safely. Wear your helmets, drive to a safe speed, and keep in your lane.

Police are asking the public to continue to make reports on dangerous driving so that officers can follow them up and hold offenders to account.

Photos and video footage is helpful for Police to follow up on offenders that quickly speed off when driving unlawfully. These can also be used to identify the bikes, hotspots and times dangerous driving occurs and helps to identify the riders.

If you see any dangerous driving, call 111 immediately.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/foxton-police-taking-dangerous-bike-riding-complaints-seriously/

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Shaking the marae grounds at Waitangi

Source: Radio New Zealand

Black Comet’s Laughton Kora isn’t afraid of a little disruption — even at Waitangi.

In 2024, he quite literally shook the foundations, he says, providing the sound design as Māori artist and activist Tāme Iti was welcomed onto Te Whare Rūnanga.

“That’s a big thing for me because I was able to bring in four subs to Waitangi,” Kora told Music 101, speaking while in rehearsals for upcoming shows with UK legends UB40. “And they’re like, ‘Boy, can you turn it down? We can’t hear the speeches,’ and I looked at them and I was just like, I think that’s what he’s after.”

Hundreds of protesters arrive at Waitangi for Tāme Iti‘s white flag protest.

Shannon Haunui-Thompson

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/shaking-the-marae-grounds-at-waitangi/

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Investor proposal to return Chateau Tongariro to hotel status should be considered – mayor

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tongariro Mayor Weston Kirton wants the government to consider a proposal to return Chateau Tongariro to its former status as a hotel. Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ

Tongariro’s mayor says the government should consider a proposal from an unnamed investor to return the Chateau Tongariro to its former status as a hotel.

The heritage building has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023 due to its earthquake risk, and the government has said it could be demolished or decommissioned.

Mayor Weston Kirton told Nine to Noon the response to a petition he put to the government to preserve the building was encouraging, but there were still many issues to resolve.

“We have an investor – a New Zealander – who has experience in high-end hotels, 5-star hotels, and heritage buildings and has a history around this type of activity.”

The investor was willing to put down about $100 million of private money to refurbish and repair the Chateau, Kirton said.

He was also asking for a 120-year lease, which is significantly more than the government usually allows, he added.

The government preferred to talk in terms of 30-year leases, which would discourage anyone from making such a significant investment into the Chateau, Kirton said.

The building has been in the hands of the Department of Conservation (DOC) since it was closed, as it sits on conservation land.

He pointed out that while the government was making a decision on what to do with the building, it was gradually falling further into disrepair.

“Every year that goes by adds to the expenditure on that particular building.”

Although it was important for DOC to maintain control over conservation land alongside local iwi, it was a pity the government would not consider carving out the land around the Chateau for a potential sale, Kirton said.

“That’s unfortunate,” he said – although he agreed that would set quite a precedent for future concessions.

For a deal to get done that would work for the investor, there would likely need to be changes to the Conservation Act in Parliament, Kirton said.

“That’s not hard for them to do … all they need to do now is put it up to Parliament to actually get it over the line and get on with the job.”

He said they had held talks with local iwi, who were “very interested” by the investor’s proposal.

“They are very passionate about the activities that could take place there, and it’s because they’ve been involved over the last few decades.

“This is not new to iwi – they see the potential for investments themselves.”

Kirton said it was his understanding that DOC and the government had not engaged iwi to the same level as the private investor.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/investor-proposal-to-return-chateau-tongariro-to-hotel-status-should-be-considered-mayor/

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Labour talking a ‘load of rubbish’ by labelling new liquefied natural gas terminal a tax – PM

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Labour is talking “a load of rubbish” when it claims the government is implementing a new “gas tax” on New Zealanders.

But Labour has fired back with one of National’s own attack lines – “if it looks like a tax and it quacks like a tax, it’s a tax”.

The back-and-forth came on Tuesday morning, the day after the government announced plans to build a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility, funded by a charge levied on the electricity companies.

Labour was quick to label the levy a “gas tax” which would be passed on to consumers through higher power prices.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ

But Luxon told reporters that was not the case.

“What a load of rubbish. It’s all designed to lower power bills for New Zealanders. That’s why we’re doing it, and that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s about increasing supply, so we lower the dry risk year, and therefore lower electricity prices.”

Luxon refused to divulge the size of the levy while the procurement process was underway, but he said the government had received advice that the move would save households $50 per year.

“Let me be clear: without doing this, New Zealanders will pay more.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the government simply could not make that commitment.

“Christopher Luxon is struggling to comprehend basic household economics. Probably not surprising from someone who only spends $60 a week on groceries.

“Ultimately, if the government charges every household in the country a new tax every time they receive their power bill, it’s going to cost households more money.”

Hipkins said it was “farcical” for the government to claim the new levy was not a tax, especially given National had promised New Zealanders “no new taxes” before last election.

“I’ll quote from Nicola Willis directly. It’s a quote you might want to go back and find: ‘if it looks like a tax and it quacks like a tax, it’s a tax’.”

Willis made that statement while in opposition in 2022 after Labour proposed changes to how KiwiSaver fees would be taxed. Labour ultimately dropped the plan after a swift public backlash.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, National’s Willis said Labour was “absolutely wrong” to label the government’s plan a tax, pointing to the official advice that electricity prices would fall.

“This is not us conjuring up numbers … Labour have not engaged with that analysis at all. Don’t let them get away with it,” she said.

“I am not going to tolerate Chris Hipkins claiming that we are taxing people when we are actively reducing their energy bills after the mess left to us by the last government.”

Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Willis said Labour had made a “clear mistake” in banning gas exploration and had not proposed any new solutions to the energy crisis.

“Their previous plan was to invest $17 billion in Lake Onslow, which wouldn’t have been available until after 2030 and would have resulted in a significant cost impost for New Zealand households.”

Hipkins said Labour would reveal its energy policy later this year and was currently keeping all options on the table.

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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/2026/02/10/labour-talking-a-load-of-rubbish-by-labelling-new-liquefied-natural-gas-terminal-a-tax-pm/

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Wuthering Heights is one of the year’s most controversial films

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ever since whispers of casting choices began popping up on social media, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights has been a lightning rod for controversy. Now days away from the movie’s highly anticipated premiere, fans and critics are still arguing.

Fennell is not the first to attempt a screen adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel; the 1847 story has been thrown onto the silver screen more than a dozen times in multiple different languages.

But whether it be the nature of modern internet discourse, or Fennell’s reputation as a provocative filmmaker, Wuthering Heights has been picked apart for everything from its leads to the quotation marks Fennell draped around her title: “Wuthering Heights”.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/wuthering-heights-is-one-of-the-years-most-controversial-films/

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NZ First to campaign on ministers getting final say in fast track projects

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones addressing Fast Track protesters last year. (File photo) RNZ / Peter de Graaf

New Zealand First will campaign on reinstating sweeping ministerial powers in the fast track legislation this election.

The law, set up as a ‘one stop shop’ process for consenting infrastructure, initially proposed three ministers would refer projects and make the final approval decision.

After widespread pushback during the select committee process, the government changed the legislation so an independent expert panel would get the final say.

Speaking at a breakfast with energy sector stakeholders in Wellington, New Zealand First’s deputy leader Shane Jones was asked by Minerals Council CEO Josie Vidal how the government could convince investors that businesses, not just government, could get projects going.

“When the government was formed in 2023, the Prime Minister met with Winston and myself. I kinda got hōhā and went for a holiday to the Gold Coast so if there’s anything wrong with the coalition agreement you might want to blame me,” he told the group as some chuckled.

“But one thing that the Prime Minister embraced, along with Mr Bishop, was the need to substantially improve the fast track legislation that Parker had in place,” Jones said.

“My honest view, and I have to be bound by the collective decision, I always wanted ministers to be making the decisions. I felt that if something was in a regional or national interest the ultimate test is for a politician who goes every three years to renew their warrant to be the proxy for that national interest.”

Jones said he would campaign on a fast track system where politicians “failed or flourished” by making big calls.

“That malaise you talk about was evidenced through the massive march on Queen Street who felt that that was corrupting a process of assessing risk and finding balance and I just can’t get my head around why four individuals…[are] more morally fit to make those calls than politicians and I’m going to campaign on that.”

‘We’re comfortable with the model’ – National

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the fast track law was working “exceptionally well” and he didn’t see any need to reinstate the sweeing ministerial powers.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. (File photo) RNZ/Mark Papalii

“No, we’re comfortable with the model. It’s got to have checks and balances. Fast track is not a rubber stamp. Fast track is designed to say, bring all your information together, make the case for your project but it doesn’t need to take five years if we can do it in 110 days.

Luxon said New Zealand First was entitled to campaign on changes if it wanted.

“They can do whatever but the point is it actually has got checks and balances on it, deliberately so. It doesn’t mean every project is going to get approved.

“As I said, it’s not a rubber stamp. It’s important that there is rigor and robustness in the cases that are presented… but it doesn’t need to take us as long as it’s been taking us.”

National’s campaign chairperson Chris Bishop said the fast track approvals regime was “the law of the land” as government policy and Jones’ view wasn’t new.

National’s Chris Bishop. (File photo) RNZ / Nathan McKinnon

“Shane’s had a view around this for for quite some time and that was how the original fast track proposal started. In the end, Cabinet landed where we’ve got to, which is a pretty robust regime where ministers make the referral decisions.

“They come across my desk at least once a week and I refer process of projects into the process and then they go off to the expert panels for a yay or a nay.”

Bishop said nine projects had been approved through the fast track in the first year and more were in the process of referral or before panels.

“I’m really proud of how it’s working, I think it’s going really well so far.”

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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/2026/02/10/nz-first-to-campaign-on-ministers-getting-final-say-in-fast-track-projects/

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Police on the scent of shoplifter

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager faces court after failing to give Police the slip after a shoplifting in Te Atatū Peninsula.

Police responded to a dairy on Te Atatū Road just after 8pm on Monday night.

“Two males had entered the dairy, when one allegedly reached over the counter and grabbed a range of vape products,” acting Inspector Nick Salter, Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, says.

“When challenged by the employee, this young male has managed to get passed and out the front door, fleeing on foot.”

Police units attended the business and reviewed CCTV footage of the offending.

Acting Inspector Salter says a Police dog handler was deployed in the area and were quickly on the scent.

“The Police dog eventually tracked to an address on Imelda Road, where two teenage males were located.

“A packaged vape was also located discarded in the nearby area.”

Following enquiries, a 16-year-old male was arrested and has since been charged with shoplifting.

He will be appearing in the Waitākere Youth Court today.

The second male, a 13-year-old, was transported home.

“It’s a great result by all our frontline staff responding yesterday evening,” acting Inspector Salter says.

“This young man is being held to account for his actions and in the process, we have managed to recover all the stolen property.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/police-on-the-scent-of-shoplifter/

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Disability support improvements begin

Source: New Zealand Government

From this week, a new nationally consistent approach will begin to benefit disabled people, families and carers who use supports funded by Disability Support Services (DSS).  

Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says the new approach is significant and confirms the first tranche of the changes announced in September 2025.

“We listened to the disability community who said that the assessment and allocation processes needed to be easier, more consistent and streamlined,” Louise Upston says.

“We’ve also responded to Independent Review findings that disability support services had become a postcode lottery for disabled people around the country.

“From this week, All Needs Assessment Service Coordination organisations (NASCs) and Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites will use the same approach to assess needs and ensure supports are allocated fairly and consistently – no matter where people live.

“After their assessment, people will get a clear plan focused on their needs and explaining the purpose of their funding. Support will be available if they need it to help them manage their plan.

“Families and carers can also now be considered as part of the assessment. We recognise that better support for the wellbeing of families and carers also greatly improves the disabled person’s wellbeing and quality of life. 

“In April, further improvements mean people with flexible funding will get budgets to manage within and current purchasing rules will be removed (including the March 2024 changes).

“We recognise that disabled people are the experts in their own lives. This will give greater choice and control over their supports and spending to around 38,500 people who already receive flexible funding.

“Throughout this stabilisation period, it’s been important for us to continue to listen. These improvements are informed by what more than 1,800 disabled people, families and carers told us during nationwide consultation last year.

“The changes will also provide a more stable foundation to strengthen the disability support system over the longer term.” 

Notes for Editors

Disability Support Services is working with NASCs, EGL sites and hosts to ensure a smooth transition for disabled people, families and carers who use disability supports.
People will receive improved information before their assessment to help them prepare and understand what to expect during the process.
Following their assessment, people and their families will gain a personalised “My DSS” funding plan which sets out the intent of the funding and what’s required to support their disability needs.
The DSS website www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz / Changes to disability support services | Disability Support Services has more information on the changes.

 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/disability-support-improvements-begin/

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Person falls from Christchurch’s Tūranga library

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo. Christchurch’s central city library Tūranga. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after a fall from Christchurch’s central Tūranga library.

Emergency services were called to the building near Cathedral Square shortly before 11am on Tuesday.

Three fire trucks worked to free the person.

The library is closed for the day.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/person-falls-from-christchurchs-turanga-library/

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Work safety group says proposed law change likely to increase harm to people

Source: Radio New Zealand

Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke van Velden says she is looking to cut health and safety red tape for low-risk businesses. 123RF

A work safety group says a new bill before Parliament is likely to increase harm to people and cause cost blowouts from accidents.

The amendment bill is the first big change proposed in a decade to health and safety laws brought in after the Pike River disaster.

The bill sets out to cut death and injury rates, and compliance costs, by focusing on the most serious critical risks and reducing confusion.

But the Institute of Safety Management said this ignored the fact most workplace harm was not at the critical end.

“All of the back injuries, the psychological harm, violence and aggression, all of the things that are the most common, the most costly and overall the most harmful, wouldn’t meet the definition of critical risk,” spokesperson Mike Cosman told RNZ on Tuesday.

The bill would increase compliance costs for firms that would need to keep checking if they qualified as “small” enough under the law to avoid managing many risks, he added.

The bill adds a new definition of critical risk and businesses would be responsible for checking if it applied to them.

The official disclosure about the bill said the law in place since 2016 put too many duties on to businesses, and the “broad nature … has led to confusion and overcompliance” with many finding it difficult to prove to regulators they were complying.

“Focusing the system on critical risks is designed to direct attention and resources towards preventing serious workplace harms and away from more minor issues,” it said.

The government aims for the bill to enable stronger approved codes of practice (ACOPs) within particular high-risk industries to help tamp down on risks. The forestry industry recently launched a new ACOP.

Cosman retorted that the bill should not take an “either-or” approach.

Most businesses wanted to do the right thing but “the clear message is if you’re a small firm, you don’t have to provide instruction, training, supervision, even PPE for your workers … unless it’s in relation to a critical risk”, he said.

“So for those firms who are looking for a way out, this will provide it.”

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has talked about dealing to the “huge culture of fear” around Worksafe by changing it to prioritise education over punishment.

However, a common theme of criticism for years had been that Worksafe was too soft and, for instance, did not go after company directors and executives enough.

Cosman said the bill reflected a dogma that compliance costs were inherently bad, rather than reflecting accurately the submissions to a nationwide roadshow and review that van Velden fronted.

“We see this as a significant missed opportunity to improve New Zealand’s patchy record on health and safety,” he said in a statement.

“These changes are likely to increase harm to workers, families, businesses, communities along with cost blowouts for the Government books in ACC, health and welfare.”

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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/2026/02/10/work-safety-group-says-proposed-law-change-likely-to-increase-harm-to-people/

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Police at scene of Christchurch stabbing

Source: Radio New Zealand

The scene of the stabbing. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon

Police are examining a central Christchurch property where a man was critically injured in a stabbing.

Emergency services were called to the two-storey block of flats in Fitzgerald Avenue at 12:20pm on Monday, where they arrested a person.

A scene guard remained at the units overnight.

RNZ / Nathan McKinnon

Police did not believe there was a threat to public safety.

The property remained cordoned off on Tuesday morning, where blood stains and chalk could be seen on the driveway.

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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/2026/02/10/police-at-scene-of-christchurch-stabbing/

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WorkSafe to revisit Mt Albert Aquatic Centre after man’s finger torn off, boy’s teeth smashed on hydroslide

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. Supplied / Community Leisure Management

Worksafe will revist an Auckland aquatic centre after a boy smashed his front teeth while on a hydroslide – the second recent injury involving the same slide.

A man was injured at the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre in late December, losing his finger when a ring caught on a bolt inside the slide, the NZ Herald reported.

Worksafe was notified following the incident.

Less than a week later, the 12-year-old boy was injured.

According to the NZ Herald, the boy was thrown around inside the slide, knocking his front two teeth on its inside joiners on 2 January.

The boy’s mother told the media outlet an emergency dental appointment the next day showed he had hit a nerve on the tooth and it “could be problematic the rest of his life”.

She said the tooth would now be “covered under ACC for life”.

WorkSafe said improvements had been made when its inspector visited the centre two days after the man was injured. But a spokesperson said an inspector would go back to the aquatic centre this month following the boy’s injury.

Auckland Council said the slide had been inspected twice within the last six months.

Head of service partner delivery, Garth Dawson, said the council would continue to work with operator Community Leisure Management and the slide manufacturer to ensure it was safe.

Community Leisure Management’s director Kirsty Knowles said it was improving signs at the hydroslide.

The NZ Herald reported the man’s finger was able to be reattached by a surgeon.

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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/2026/02/10/worksafe-to-revisit-mt-albert-aquatic-centre-after-mans-finger-torn-off-boys-teeth-smashed-on-hydroslide/

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‘Grave concerns’ for missing woman not seen for six months

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rowena Walker Supplied / NZ Police

Police have “grave concerns” for a woman who has not been seen for six months and are considering the possibility she may have been the victim of foul play.

They say her children want their mother back and the family are desperate for answers.

Rowena Walker was reported missing by her mother on 22 October.

In an interview with RNZ, Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said the 39-year-old’s last confirmed sighting was in Christchurch on 14 August last year.

“It appears that her last digital footprint, social media, phones, etc, was on the 15th of August 2025, she’s also had no contact with any of her children since around that date, which is very out of character for her.”

Carolan said the fact Walker had been missing without any trace for six months was “hugely concerning”.

“We’re really worried about her and have grave concerns for her safety, that she may no longer be alive is a possibility that we have to consider, but we’re exploring all the possibilities in detail,” she said.

“Rowena is a vulnerable person in the community, and we have to consider the possibility that she’s been the victim of foul play. We are keeping an open mind and exhausting all lines of inquiry, including that possibility. Rowena’s mother is caring for some of her grandchildren, and it’s really important that those kids have an answer as to where mum has gone.”

Asked if police had any persons of interest, Carolan said police were “talking to a number of people” and following every lead available.

“I won’t go into specifics of that, but it is fair to say that we’re sticking to everybody who is made known to us.”

Carolan said Walker was “reasonably transient” and was known to have family and associates all over the country.

“We don’t want to rule out any region of New Zealand, if there’s, if there’s somebody who would like to talk to us, who knows something about what has happened to her, we will speak to anybody from anywhere in the country,” she said.

“We have conducted a number of inquiries with people throughout Tasman, some Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Christchurch areas, and that is going to continue for as long as necessary.”

She said the last six months had been “very hard” on Walker’s family, particularly her mother and children.

“They haven’t seen mum now for six months and don’t understand why that is, they very much want to have mum back.

“They had almost daily contact with her, and now they don’t. And it’s it’s very sad situation. We just want to find out what’s happened to Rowena, so that we can let her family know”

Carolan said there will be someone out there who knows what happened to Walker.

“We are looking for more information, and we’re interested in hearing from anybody in the community who has anything to provide, whether they think it might not be very significant. We’d rather hear about it and make that assessment for ourselves. So we appeal to everybody in the community to come forward with any information that they have.”

She said the “best case scenario” was that Walker was alive and well.

“And for whatever reason, keeping herself to herself, and I would say to her that she’s got family and friends who are extremely worried about her and kids who miss her very, very much. And if that is the case, we would appeal to her to please, reach out to somebody.”

Carolan said despite the time between her last sighting and when police were notified, detectives had “really strong lines of inquiry” with a “significant number of staff” working on the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact Police online through 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, referencing file number 251022/9026.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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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/2026/02/10/grave-concerns-for-missing-woman-not-seen-for-six-months/

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Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death revealed

Source: Radio New Zealand

Emmy-winning actress Catherine O’Hara, who starred in Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, died from a blood clot in her lungs, her death certificate reveals.

The Canadian-born performer was rushed to the hospital on 30 January after having difficulty breathing at her home in the ritzy Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

The 71-year-old, who starred in Beetlejuice and more recently in Apple TV’s Hollywood satire show The Studio, was declared dead a short time later.

The actress’s death certificate said she had died of a pulmonary embolism and listed rectal cancer as a secondary factor.

O’Hara was born in Toronto in 1954, where she joined the legendary comedy theater Second City, alongside Eugene Levy, with whom she would collaborate throughout her career, including on the smash TV series Schitt’s Creek.

Her break into movies came in 1980 with Double Negative – also alongside Levy, and John Candy.

In 1988, she played Winona Ryder’s stepmother in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. She would later marry the film’s production designer Bo Welch. The couple had two sons, Matthew and Luke.

But it was in 1990 that she became widely known to a global audience, as the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin in Home Alone.

She would reprise the role in the film’s sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which featured a cameo from Donald Trump, decades before he would become US president.

In 1993 she collaborated again with Burton on The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The versatile comedienne also appeared in British filmmaker Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries that revel in silly spectacles of Americana, like zany dog handlers in Best in Show, vain folk singers in A Mighty Wind, and award-hungry actors in For Your Consideration

But she is perhaps best known by modern audiences for her role in Schitt’s Creek, created by Eugene Levy’s son, Dan Levy.

The role brought her an Emmy for best lead actress in 2020. She was also awarded a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/catherine-oharas-cause-of-death-revealed/

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Ex-ministry staffer accuses government of ignoring education experts, teachers

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Quin Tauetau

A former Education Ministry staff member says the government’s curriculum rewrite ignored the views of many subject experts and teachers.

Waikato University academic Claire Coleman told Nine to Noon she worked on the curriculum until the middle of last year and said it was chaotic and politicised.

“There were changes, not following processes around procurement of the members of newly-appointed writing groups, getting rid of entire contributing groups and replacing them with people that had previous relationships with the minister, had conflicts of interest… being told ‘we’re not going to write this down because we don’t want people to know… so it’s not OIA-able’, essentially, that kind of behaviour,” she said.

Coleman made similar allegations during a submission to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the government’s Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill recently.

She told Nine to Noon she started working for the ministry on a rewrite of the Arts curriculum in 2022, but that was paused in late 2023 following the change of government.

“By the time that I left in the beginning of 2025, it was evident that none of the work that we had done was going to be used and they weren’t really interested in any of our expertise,” she said.

Coleman agreed a change of government could bring a change of direction for the curriculum, but she said the process was inappropriate and the public should be concerned.

She said she assumed government ministries would follow good-faith practices involving rigourous debate but that was not the case with the curriculum rewrite.

“What I saw was a case of ‘we’re not interested in talking to the people who know, this is what we want to do and we’re going to do it regardless’ and it’s a sort of ‘my way or the highway’ approach,” she said.

Coleman said the government should have listened to a wider range of views on the curriculum.

“You need a diverse range of opinions. You need to work through all of the nuances that are in education. It is a complicated space and you need to know enough to know what you don’t know and to bring in the right people into those conversations and to rely on the expertise and that’s, I think, the point of having a ministry,” she said.

“Regardless of which direction you want this to go in or regardless of what policy you want, you draw on the best people and the best evidence that you’ve got to make that a really solid piece of work.”

Coleman said proposed law changes would give future education ministers the power to rewrite the curriculum again, but that work should be left to education experts.

Education Minister Erica Stanford was asked to comment and her office referred Nine to Noon to an Education Ministry response supplied following Coleman’s select committee appearance.

It said the ministry was responsible for writing the curriculum and worked with a wide range of local education experts, teachers and other stakeholders.

“The curriculum-writing process is rigourous and includes multiple cycles of review and refinement. It combines evidence, insights, and experiences over the last 20 years with formal feedback and input from a wide range of groups from across the education sector,” the statement said.

“Ministers have always been responsible for the curriculum sign-off as part of the process.”

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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/2026/02/10/ex-ministry-staffer-accuses-government-of-ignoring-education-experts-teachers/

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Watch: ‘Really special’ – team mates perform haka following Zoi Sadowski-Synnott’s medal win

Source: Radio New Zealand

Olympic medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was honoured by her team mates with a haka following her silver medal win in the Big Air event at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

It was a record third medal in the event for Sadowski-Synott, who took silver in Beijing in 2022 and bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018.

“I went and saw my family, and then I turned around and the whole team was performing a haka for me,” she said. “It was really special and meant a lot to me.”

Sadowski-Synnott described the final is hugely inspiring.

“That was incredible! It was such a high level of snowboarding, and to see the progression over the last four years and see what it takes to get on the podium now, I couldn’t be more inspired,” she said.

“I’m just really grateful to be a part of it. It’s amazing seeing all these girls from all over the world who are really passionate about snowboarding doing so well.”

Team mates perform a haka in Zoi Sadowski-Synnott’s honour. Screenshot/Sky

Sadowski-Synott went into the final as the top qualifier, but a disappointing first run put the pressure on her for the rest of the competition.

She was in tenth place after the first run when she failed to stick her landing and only managed a score of 27.75, with Japan’s Kokomo Murase leading the way with a score of 89.75.

With the best two scores from the three runs counting, Sadowski-Synott needed to pull out something special to salvage her competition.

The 24-year-old completed a backside triple-cork 1440 in her second run to score 88.75 and improved to eighth, while Korean Seungeun took the lead from Murase.

The Kiwi dropped in fifth in the final run, needing another high-scoring jump and responded with a switch backside 1260, which scored 83.50 and took her to the top of the scoreboard.

She held that position until the last two competitors, with Murase finishing on 179 points compared to Sadowski-Synott’s 172.25.

Sadowski-Synnott will defend her Slopestyle title next week.

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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/2026/02/10/watch-really-special-team-mates-perform-haka-following-zoi-sadowski-synnotts-medal-win/

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NZ Post says deluge of UK passport applications causing delays

Source: Radio New Zealand

Some people following their applications’ progress using online trackers noticed they were being held up at an Auckland mail centre before being sent to the UK. 123RF

NZ Post says the volume of British passport applications is causing delays to them being sent to the UK.

A new requirement for dual nationality citizens to use a British passport to travel there took many travellers by surprise last month.

And with the deadline for the change only a fortnight away – 25 February – applications surged.

PostShop staff told customers they had to use an express service, which cost $121, to send their applications. But some people, following their packages’ progress using online trackers, noticed the applications were being held up at an Auckland mail centre before being sent to the UK.

One customer said her package was waiting In Auckland for nearly two weeks, without anyone contacting her to say there was an issue.

The tracker now showed ‘air transport planning is underway’.

NZ Post last week said incorrect customer declarations were responsible for delays.

But it has now apologised and said it was working to overcome the hold-up.

“Due to the increase in the number of passport applications being sent to the UK at the moment, it is taking a bit longer than usual for some of these items to move through their journey,” said a spokesperson. “We’re sorry for the delay and can assure customers that we are working as fast as possible to get these important items where they need to be.”

Staff checked that each item had complete information on its customs declaration, she said.

“This is a manual process and is taking a bit longer than usual due to the increased number we are receiving. We can assure customers that we are working through these as quickly as possible, including contacting individual customers who have missed some information off their Customs Declarations. We’re actively working on a solution to help speed this process up and get these items moving as fast as we can.”

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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/2026/02/10/nz-post-says-deluge-of-uk-passport-applications-causing-delays/

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EIT carpentry course lays foundation for Gisborne apprentice

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

23 hours ago

Max Elsmore is building a future in the construction industry after completing a certificate in carpentry at EIT Tairāwhiti.

The 20-year-old from Gisborne completed the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry Strand) (Level 3) last year, and has recently begun a building apprenticeship with Brendan Fry Building Ltd.

“The course prepared me really well. It helped me understand what was going to be happening on site and what would be expected of me.”

Max Elsmore completed the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry) (Level 3) last year, and has recently begun a building apprenticeship with Brendan Fry Building Ltd.

His pathway into trades began while he was in Year 12 at Gisborne Boys’ High School through the Trades Academy – a year-long trades programme for secondary students.

“That gave me a good idea of what I was actually interested in.”

After leaving school at the end of Year 12, Max spent time working in several jobs before deciding to commit to a trade career.

“I tried a few different things, but none of them really stuck. That’s when I decided to go back to EIT and get some proper knowledge behind me.”

Encouraged by discussions with EIT Assistant Head of Trades (Tairāwhiti) Tim Jagusch, Max enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Carpentry Strand) (Level 3) – a 36-week course focused on core building skills, tool use and worksite expectations.

He said the learning environment at EIT played a key role in preparing him for employment.

“The tutor explained things in a way I could understand, and the class was really good. We shared information and helped each other out, which made it easier to learn.”

Now in the early stages of his apprenticeship, Max says he is enjoying the challenge of working on site and learning from experienced builders.

“I’m enjoying learning everything about it. My workmates are keen to teach me, which makes it even better.”

As part of his apprenticeship, Max will continue completing theory and assessments through EIT’s NZ Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) alongside his practical training.

For Max, the appeal of building lies in seeing projects take shape.

“Watching something being built from the ground up is pretty satisfying. Knowing you helped create something that will be there for a long time – that’s what I enjoy most.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to become a qualified builder, gain his Licensed Building Practitioner status, and eventually run his own business.

“I’d like to get qualified first, and then maybe one day have my own building business if that’s achievable.”

He encourages others considering trades training to explore study at EIT.

“It’s a great place to learn. And it’s a really good environment.”

Howard Irving, School of Trades and Technology Tutor, said Max arrived on the course genuinely eager to learn, and that enthusiasm showed from day one.

“His consistent attendance and positive attitude made him an absolute pleasure to teach. The supportive environment created by us, along with the encouragement from his fellow ākonga, helped Max thrive throughout the programme. Altogether, these factors contributed to a highly successful pre trade experience and set him up with a solid foundation for his future pathway.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/eit-carpentry-course-lays-foundation-for-gisborne-apprentice/

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Motorcylist nearly twice the limit after fleeing Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A motorcyclist’s decision to flee saw his wheels impounded and a variety of illicit drug items seized this morning.

The Papatoetoe man was also allegedly found to be nearly twice the legal breath alcohol limit.

A unit located the Harley Davidson on Great South Road, Papatoetoe at around 1.38am.

Counties Manukau West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey says two people were on the bike at the time.

“Due to the driving behaviour, the unit activated lights and siren to stop the bike,” he says.

“The rider has failed to stop and sped away from the unit at high speed and was seen running a red light.”

The Harley Davidson wasn’t pursued, but the Police Eagle helicopter deployed overhead and tracked its movements.

“Eagle located the motorcycle heading into a Papatoetoe property, attempting to hide in a garage,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.

“Ground units attended the address and located both the rider and his passenger.”

While at the rider’s property, Police made further illicit discoveries.

This included a bag of cannabis, a cannabis plant and methamphetamine utensils.

Senior Sergeant Albrey says the rider appeared intoxicated and allegedly returned a breath alcohol result of 441mcg.

The 48-year-old man will be summonsed to court for the drink driving offence, with enquiries ongoing into the drug offences.

“Operating any vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.

“It’s fortunate that the rider, his passenger or anyone else in the community wasn’t injured as a result of his actions last night.”

The passenger on the motorcycle, a 34-year-old woman, was also arrested for an unrelated warrant to arrest.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/motorcylist-nearly-twice-the-limit-after-fleeing-police/