Category: MIL-OSI

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Football Ferns bring in new faces for World Cup qualifiers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix player Pia Vlok has been called up to the Football Ferns for the first time. photosport

Fresh from scoring Wellington Phoenix’s first hattrick in the A-League Women, Pia Vlok will make her senior debut with the Football Ferns as the team begins the qualification process for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

Head coach Michael Mayne has named two new faces in the 23-player squad for this month’s qualifying journey in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Seventeen year-old Vlok, who captaining New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last year, is joined by Newcastle Jets’ standout Charlotte Lancaster in a new cycle for the Football Ferns.

Lancaster is having a breakout A-League season and has scored three goals in eight games from midfield.

Goalkeeper Maddie Iro is also selected as part of the initial squad for the first time after joining as an injury replacement for October’s games in Mexico and the USA.

“It is great to get this group together ahead of an important year and start the journey to achieve the first of our goals, qualifying for Brazil in 2027,” Mayne said.

“This tour presents some different challenges, especially with the global nature of our squad and players both in the middle of competitive seasons or in preseason and looking to establish themselves, so we have had to account for a number of factors when selecting the final 23.

“I am confident we have the right balance of those who were available for selection and a group that are able to get straight to work when we arrive in Honiara to secure our qualification for the semi and finals back in New Zealand.”

Mayne said he wanted competition to be high in every position but was also working to ensure players “can thrive mentally and physically at this level with the high demands to perform as a cohesive team”.

“What has been exciting to see, and aligns with our strategy to build capability, is seeing players performing well and consistently in their leagues, so rewarding Pia and Charlotte, who have earned call ups after making a big impact in the A-League Women, is great to be able to do.”

The Football Ferns will begin their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying journey, as part of Group A at the Oceania Qualifiers, on 27 February against Samoa, before facing hosts Solomon Islands on 2 March and American Samoa on 5 March.

All games will be played at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The top two sides in Group A will then take on the top two from Group B, played in Fiji, in the Semi-Final and Final of the Oceania Qualifiers, played in New Zealand, to secure a place in Brazil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

The full squad is:

  • Liz Anton (25 caps/0 goals) Canberra United, Australia
  • Mackenzie Barry (22/1) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Hannah Blake (8/0) Durham FC, England
  • Kelli Brown (9/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia
  • Claudia Bunge (38/0) Melbourne Victory, Australia
  • Milly Clegg (20/2) Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
  • Manaia Elliott (5/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Victoria Esson (31/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Michaela Foster (30/1) Durham FC, England
  • Maya Hahn (8/1) FC Viktoria Berlin, Germany
  • Maddie Iro (0/0) Hills United, Australia
  • Deven Jackson (7/0) Melbourne City, Australia
  • Grace Jale (35/8) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Katie Kitching (23/6) Sunderland AFC, England
  • Charlotte Lancaster (debut) Newcastle Jets, Australia
  • Meikayla Moore (75/4) Calgary Wild, Canada
  • Emma Pijnenburg (8/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Indiah-Paige Riley (34/3) Crystal Palace, England
  • Alina Santos (1/0) University of Denver, USA
  • Rebekah Stott (108/4) Melbourne City, Australia
  • Pia Vlok (debut) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Lara Wall (2/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
  • Grace Wisnewski (5/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark

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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/2026/02/04/football-ferns-bring-in-new-faces-for-world-cup-qualifiers/

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Person critical, hotel cordoned off after gunfire in Hamilton

Source: Radio New Zealand

A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton. Libby Kirkby-McLeod

A person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition as police swarm a Hamilton street and close off a hotel.

A motel staff member inside the cordon along Ulster Street and Abbotsford Street in the suburb of Whitiora said they heard gunshots about 10am on Wednesday.

St John said they were called to the scene just before 10am and had taken a critically injured person to Waikato Hospital.

A police spokesperson said cordons were in place while they responded to an incident but did not provide further details.

Libby Kirkby-McLeod

An RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers are going door-to-door speaking with people.

They declined to answer questions.

A resident who wanted to go home had been told by police he was not able to at this time.

Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.

“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.

“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”

McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.

He said it wasn’t typical of the street.

“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.

Police were expected to speak to media about what happened on Wednesday afternoon.

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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/2026/02/04/person-critical-hotel-cordoned-off-after-gunfire-in-hamilton/

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New Plymouth cycleway: ‘Mallowpuff’ lane dividers to replace controversial ‘Tim Tams’

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Plymouth mayor Max Brough previously said the removal or modification of the cycleway would be one of his first jobs. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ

The mayor of New Plymouth has revealed low-profile rubber lane dividers will replace the city’s controversial concrete cycleway separators – nicknamed Tim Tams due to their resemblance to the popular biscuit.

In a video briefing Max Brough said the rubber lane dividers – he’d branded Mallowpuffs – would replace the Tim Tams along a stretch of Devon Street West.

“We’re going from Tim Tams to Mallowpuffs. The concept is that we’re going to go away from those horrible concrete blocks that are causing so much stress and the new ones are going to be put down and I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”

Brough campaigned on pulling up the Tim Tams and wanted to turn it into a community event.

He apologised for how long it was taking.

“The Tim Tam battle could’ve been accelerated faster but we’ve got where we’ve got to and it’s largely down to the cost.”

The Transport Agency paid for and installed the $3.8 million cycleway and council staff had estimated it would cost $1.6 million to remove them adding 1.1 percent to rates.

Brough said councillors had baulked at the expense during a December meeting that recommended they remain for at least nine months.

“That was the appetite in the chamber on the day if we’re going to rip all of that out and go back [to what we had] is it a retrograde step and then the cost that was looked at it came back as too much to be doing in a hurry.”

Some motorists complained they had driven into the concrete lane dividers causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to their vehicles, but the cycleway was popular with some bike riders and an audit by engineering firm Becca found it had improved safety along Devon Street West which feeds onto State Highway 45.

Brough said NZTA was co-operating with council and a design had been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West.

That work would start at the end of March to coincide with the resealing of the road.

Some carparks would be reinstated and there was an information evening for planned residents.

Max Brough says NZTA are co-operating with council and a design has been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West. ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ

Brough did not clarify what the ‘Mallowpuffs’ would be made of in the video briefing, but he told the Taranaki Daily New they would be low-profile rubber dividers about 80mm high and 2m-long.

Motorists would be able to drive over them.

The Tim Tams were more than 100mm high.

In the video briefing, Brough was not clear whether the ‘Mallowpuff’ solution was a trial or intended to be used along the entire length of the cycleway.

In a statement, council officers said it was only a trial.

“Several different types of separators as an alternative to the current concrete structures, will be trailed, along with a shared path.

“We will be monitoring the trial area and the rest of the corridor and report back to council in September. This will inform the elected members’ decision on what will happen next.”

Tim Tam Alley was the subject of two presentations due to be heard at the first meeting of the council’s new Public Engagement Committee.

The mayor established the committee to give the public a greater opportunity to speak directly with councillors and influence council decisions.

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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/2026/02/04/new-plymouth-cycleway-mallowpuff-lane-dividers-to-replace-controversial-tim-tams/

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Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

The South Australian state election will be held on March 21. Preferential voting will be used to elect members for all 47 single-member lower house seats. This is the same system as used for federal House of Representatives elections.

Some Australian conservatives are advocating Australia return to first past the post (FPTP), but a conservative government introduced preferential voting in 1918 to stop vote splitting between two conservative parties. Right-wing preferences helped the Coalition maintain its grip on power from 1949 to 1972. Preferential voting is far superior to FPTP.

After Labor’s landslide at the May 2025 federal election, some right-wingers have complained that preferential voting gave Labor too many seats. They want Australia to revert to FPTP, where there are no preferences. In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.

National primary votes at the election were 34.6% Labor, 31.8% Coalition, 12.2% Greens, 6.4% One Nation and 15.0% for all Others. After preferences, Labor defeated the Coalition by 55.2–44.8 and won 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats (63% of seats). In both two-party and seat share, this was Labor’s biggest win since 1943.

While Labor’s margin expanded after preferences, they won the national primary vote by 2.8%. Analyst Kevin Bonham said that on primary votes, Labor would have won 86 seats to 57 for the Coalition (actual 94 to 43). Labor’s primary votes were much more efficiently distributed than the Coalition’s.

Labor won a disproportionate seat share at the election, but this occurs with single-member systems, particularly with a blowout result. Those complaining about Labor’s big majority should advocate switching to proportional representation, not FPTP.

The United Kingdom 2024 election was held using FPTP. Labour won 411 of the 650 seats (63% of seats) on 33.7% of the national vote. This occurred primarily because Labour’s vote share was ten points ahead of the second placed Conservatives.

A brief history of preferential voting in Australia

Prior to 1918, federal elections used FPTP. In 1918, there was a byelection for Swan that was contested by the Nationalists (a predecessor of the Liberals), the Country Party (a predecessor of the Nationals) and Labor.

Labor won this byelection with 34.4%, to 31.4% for the Country Party and 29.6% for the Nationalists. With the combined vote for the two conservative options adding to 61.0%, it was clear a different system would have given the Country Party the win.

After this byelection, the Nationalist government introduced preferential voting, resulting in Labor losing the Corangamite byelection in 1918 to a Victorian Farmers candidate by 56.3–43.7, despite Labor winning the primary vote by 42.5–26.4 with 22.9% for the Nationalists.

Originally preferential voting was introduced to allow the two conservative parties (now Liberals and Nationals) to compete against each other without splitting the conservative vote and giving Labor wins it didn’t deserve. There are still “three-cornered” contests now where the Liberals, Nationals and Labor all contest the same seat.

This Wikipedia page gives national primary votes for Labor, the Coalition and all Others, the Labor and Coalition estimated two-party share and House seats won by Labor, Coalition and others at elections from 1910 to 2022.

Until the 1990s, the combined primary votes for the major parties was around 90% in most elections. This means that other than in three-cornered contests, preferences had limited impact. There were high Other votes in 1931, ‘34, ’40 and ’43, with the first three cases due to a Labor split (New South Wales Lang Labor).

In the first two of these cases, Labor was far behind on primary votes and made up some ground on preferences, but the Coalition still won easily. In 1940, Labor trailed by 3.7% on primary votes but won the two-party vote by 50.3–49.7. However, the Coalition formed government with the support of two independents until those independents sided with Labor in 1941.

In 1943, there was a split within the Coalition, and other preferences favoured the Coalition, reducing Labor’s primary vote lead of 26.9 points to 16.4 points after preferences.

In 1955, a Labor faction split from Labor and became the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), directing preferences to the Coalition. From 1955 until the DLP’s demise in 1974, it dominated the third party vote, and so overall preferences in this period assisted the Coalition.

The DLP helped the Coalition to have the longest period of one-party government from 1949 to 1972. Labor was estimated to have won the two-party vote in 1954, 1961 and 1969, but the Coalition won a majority of House seats.

Since 1987, preferences have favoured Labor, allowing it to overturn primary vote deficits to win the two-party vote in 1987, 2010 and 2022. First the Democrats and then the Greens assisted Labor after preferences. One Nation’s first rise at the 1998 election didn’t stop overall preferences from favouring Labor.

The only time Labor formed government while losing the two-party vote occurred in 1990, when they won a majority of seats despite losing by 50.1–49.9. Labor lost the election in 1998, even though it won the two-party vote by 51.0–49.0.

Some recent polls have One Nation surging into second place behind Labor, ahead of the Coalition. On current polling, there are more right-wing sources of preferences than left-wing sources, so overall preference flows could favour the right at the next federal election, whether it’s One Nation or the Coalition that benefits most.

In early elections, some seats were often uncontested, meaning only one candidate nominated for that seat. No votes were counted in such seats, so national primary votes will be distorted by the exclusion of these seats.

Why preferential voting is superior to FPTP

At the 2025 election, Labor’s Ali France defeated Liberal leader Peter Dutton in his seat of Dickson by 56.0–44.0. But Dutton had more primary votes than France, winning 34.7% of the primary vote to 33.6% for France, with 12.2% for a teal independent, 7.6% for the Greens and 4.2% for One Nation.

FPTP gives a massive benefit to the side of politics (left or right) that has its vote more concentrated with one party or candidate. In the two 1918 byelections, the left vote was concentrated with Labor, and in Dickson 2025 the right vote was concentrated with Dutton. Preferential voting is far fairer by allowing all candidates’ votes to eventually count.

In FPTP, many voters need to choose between supporting the candidate they most prefer even if that candidate is uncompetitive, and voting for the candidate best placed to keep someone they dislike out. Votes for uncompetitive candidates are effectively wasted in FPTP.

Labor may have won Dickson under FPTP as some of the teal and Greens voters would probably have voted for Labor tactically to beat Dutton. But voters shouldn’t need to make these choices.

Parliaments require majorities to function. The party winning the most seats does not necessarily form government, for example Labour formed government after the 2017 New Zealand election even though the conservative National won the most seats.

In the UK, the Conservatives needed to form alliances with other parties after winning the most seats but not a majority at the 2010 and 2017 elections. Preferential voting is closer to parliamentary systems than FPTP.

Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post – https://theconversation.com/why-preferential-voting-is-superior-to-first-past-the-post-264248

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/04/why-preferential-voting-is-superior-to-first-past-the-post-264248/

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Shallow 4.4 earthquake rattles lower North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

GeoNet

A moderate earthquake has struck in the upper South Island.

The 4.4 magnitude quake was at a depth of 9km and 15km east of Seddon.

More than 1500 people had reported feeling the quake shortly after it struck.

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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/2026/02/04/shallow-4-4-earthquake-rattles-lower-north-island/

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Three men linked to Head Hunters gang sentenced to life in prison for murder

Source: Radio New Zealand

Three men have been sentenced to the life in prison for the murder of West Auckland teenager Jayden Mamfredos-Nair nearly three years ago. Supplied / NZ Police

Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.

Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.

After disappearing in April 2023, 19-year-old Jayden Mamfredos-Nair’s body was found on a Dairy Flat property nine months later.

Police determined he had been a victim of foul play.

At the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, patched member Zak Kameta received a minimum period of imprisonment of 18 years.

Prospect Matthew Snaylam and their associate Hassan Al Fadhli both received a minimum period of imprisonment of 17 years.

Police Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said the death had placed a heavy toll on the victim’s family and he hoped they finally had some closure.

Police issued a statement on behalf of Mamfredos-Nair’s mother Maria who said the sentencing marked the end of a long legal journey, but “the ongoing journey of grieving and healing continues”.

“This crime has had a devastating permanent impact on our entire family, his friends and the community who loved him. The grief, the heartbreak, the devastation – it will never go away.”

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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/2026/02/04/three-men-linked-to-head-hunters-gang-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-murder/

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Greenpeace warns of NZ bowing to US mining bullying

Source: Greenpeace

News that the NZ government is in talks with the Trump administration on a critical minerals deal is drawing fierce criticism from Greenpeace Aotearoa, who warn of unchecked environmental destruction, Te Tiriti violations, and Aotearoa becoming a pawn in the US’s quest for further geopolitical control.
The confirmation that NZ is in discussions with the US comes just weeks after Trump issued a proclamation that “foreign trading partners” who did not sign deals on critical minerals supply could face trade penalties.
Russel Norman, Executive Director of Greenpeace Aotearoa says New Zealand must resist being pushed into a deal that will expedite environmental destruction in Aotearoa.
“The Trump administration is showing absolute disregard for everything other than their own agenda and greed. Pacific Peoples and over 40 nations have rejected the idea of mining the ocean, but here’s the US issuing ultimatums trying to force the start of this industry.
“Clearly, the will of Indigenous Peoples and Pacific nations do not matter in the Trump administration’s resource and power grab.”
Trump’s push for a critical minerals deal is just the latest in a series of moves to expedite mining the ocean.
Last year, the President signed an executive order to accelerate the exploitation of seabed minerals. Since then, the US has also signed deals with the Cook Islands for mining exploration and sent an expedition vessel to the region. They are also forging ahead with plans to open up US Pacific territories such as American Samoa to mining.
“The US is pressuring every nation they can, including us here in Aotearoa, to bend to their will. But resistance to mining the seafloor here and around the Pacific is strong. People are coming together to fight for a future where the ocean is protected, not pillaged to line Global North pockets.”
Norman warns that NZ is being used as a pawn in Trump’s game.
“New Zealand must not be responsible for helping open up Pandora’s Box on seabed mining. The ocean is too precious to mine, the people of this region depending on its health and integrity for survival.”
At home, Luxon’s government has been heavily criticised since 2023 for trying to Fast Track mining projects across Aotearoa, including a controversial seabed mine proposed for Taranaki. There, ‘critical mineral’ vanadium – described on Trump’s list – is thought to be in large supply.
“Who is this seabed mine for?” says Norman.
“Iwi in Taranaki have repeatedly rejected plans by Trans Tasman Resources to open this destructive seabed mine in their waters. They have said no, as have the rest of the community, local councils, the courts, and the fishing industry.
“Now we hear that the NZ government is in closed room conversations with Trump to supply minerals – some of which are found at this site. Is the NZ government going to allow the waters of the west coast to be trashed, fish stocks impacted, Indigenous Rights violated – to fuel the US’s dreams?
“What happens here in the waters of Aotearoa should not be dictated by the US, not when tangata whenua and the communities who will be most affected have rejected the project time and time again.”
A week ago, the US took another step to make it easier for deep sea mining companies to exploit the ocean – combining exploratory and commercial applications into a single process, also reducing environmental reviews. The following day, The Metals Company USA applied for a consolidated permit to explore and mine the Pacific. 

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/greenpeace-warns-of-nz-bowing-to-us-mining-bullying/

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Updated WorkSafe enforcement policies to improve safety outcomes

Source: New Zealand Government

WorkSafe has updated its enforcement policies and processes to give businesses more clarity about how it makes enforcement decisions and allow them to address and remedy safety issues faster, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden announced today. 

“On my health and safety roadshow I heard concerns about WorkSafe’s approach to enforcement. In particular that WorkSafe can be heavy-handed in punishment when something does go wrong, but not always sufficiently supportive in providing advice on how to manage risks in the first place,” says Ms van Velden. 

The changes include a clear expectation that WorkSafe actively considers other enforcement options before recommending prosecution.  

“New options such as formal warnings and pre-charge enforceable undertakings allow businesses who show a willingness to remedy issues and improve workplace safety to do so quickly without lengthy court processes.” 

These alternatives are an option where a business accepts responsibility, demonstrates a commitment to remedying issues, and can deliver tangible improvements to prevent harm. This marks a shift from the previous approach, where there were fewer enforcement options and prosecution was a primary tool. Prosecution will remain an option for cases where there has clearly been significant or negligent disregard for health and safety law, repeated non-compliance, or where serious harm has occurred and deterrence is necessary. 

“In my Letter of Expectations in May 2025, I asked WorkSafe to improve the consistency of its enforcement decisions and ensure its policies focus on clear breaches and causation, while aligning with the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines. I’m pleased to see the progress WorkSafe has made,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. 

“I expect these changes will sharpen WorkSafe’s focus on prosecuting cases of genuine recklessness or negligent disregard of health and safety law. Additionally, I have set an expectation that WorkSafe improves its provision of guidance so that businesses and organisations understand what their obligations are in the first place.” 

Training for WorkSafe’s frontline staff will be rolled out to support the consistent application of these changes. 

“WorkSafe plays a critical role in keeping New Zealanders safe at work. These improvements strengthen trust in the regulator and ensure enforcement decisions are made fairly,” Minister van Velden says. 

Editor notes:

For more information, visit WorkSafe’s updated prosecution policy: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/laws-and-regulations/operational-policy-framework/operational-policies…  

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/updated-worksafe-enforcement-policies-to-improve-safety-outcomes/

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‘In crisis every day’: Help needed for community affected by foul-smelling sewage plant

Source: Radio New Zealand

Diggers working at the burnt-out Bromley wastewater treatment plant. Christchurch City Council supplied pictures and video of work to remove rot from inside its filters on 10 June 2022. Christchurch City Council

Bromley community leader Jackie Simons has made an emotional plea for more help to be provided to those affected by the foul stench pouring from a sewage plant.

Simons, who sits on the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board, made the plea at a Christchurch City Council meeting on Wednesday morning.

It comes after some residents walked out of a fiery council-led public meeting on Tuesday night in frustration over the fire-damaged plant.

Offensive odours have plagued the city’s eastern suburbs after a fire damaged key infrastructure at the Bromley Wastewater Plant in 2021.

Bromley Wastewater Plant.

Complaints about the odour have spiked recently.

Simons told councillors the situation facing locals had now reached crisis point.

“The wastewater plant still stinks. It’s always stunk. It’s been stinking for the last four years,” she said.

“The last couple of weeks we’ve seen an influx of horrendous smell across the whole city. A crisis has come and everyone is in crisis mode.”

The Canterbury Regional Council had received more than 2000 reports about the plant in this year alone.

One Bromley resident told Morning Report the stench from the city’s sewage plant was so bad it had left her coughing up blood.

The city council said the recent heavy rain had affected the health of the oxidation pond and it was using all available tools to improve water quality.

An emotional and frustrated Simons told elected members she was regularly fielding complaints from the community.

There was a perception the council would have acted sooner if it was happening to more upmarket parts of the city, she said.

“When they come to me and they say ‘if this was happening in Fendalton you would’ve fixed it by now’, ‘the council doesn’t care about us in the east’, ‘they don’t give a toss’, ‘they’re not listening’, ‘when are they going to fix it?’ How am I supposed to tell them that you do care when it took the rest of the city to smell it to stand up and show that you cared.”

The council needed to provide more on-the-ground support for those worst affected, Simons said.

“I’d like to see those people asked ‘what do you need?’. Because a gift basket is no good to someone who needs a lift to the doctor. A supermarket voucher is no good to someone who can’t pay for a prescription,” she said.

“They can’t open their windows, they can’t hang their washing out, they have physical symptoms of ill-health, they have respiratory issues, they have depression, they have mental health challenges because of this situation. They are in crisis every day.”

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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/2026/02/04/in-crisis-every-day-help-needed-for-community-affected-by-foul-smelling-sewage-plant/

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Avoiding seed oils is an online trend, but are they as bad as some would have you believe?

Source: Radio New Zealand

In the past 12 months, seed oils have become a divisive topic, with online claims they are “toxic”, “inflammatory”, and cause chronic health conditions.

When United States secretary of health and human services, Robert F Kennedy Jr announced the new US dietary guidelines on 7 January, he promised to “evangelise real food”.

The 2025-2030 guidelines included a new food pyramid putting protein, saturated fats and whole foods in the spotlight.

Robert F Kennedy Jr has claimed seed oils are toxic.

ANDREW HARNIK / AFP

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/avoiding-seed-oils-is-an-online-trend-but-are-they-as-bad-as-some-would-have-you-believe/

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Reports of fallen rocks closes main road between Christchurch and Sumner

Source: Radio New Zealand

One of the main roads between Christchurch and Sumner is closed following reports of rocks falling the hill above.

Main Road and the adjacent footpath have been closed near Shag Rock Reserve.

Police, Fire and Emergency, and Christchurch City Council staff are in the area.

A council spokesperson said crews are assessing the situation.

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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/2026/02/04/reports-of-fallen-rocks-closes-main-road-between-christchurch-and-sumner/

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Media advisory: Police incident, Whitiora

Source: New Zealand Police

Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Will Loughrin will be available to speak to media about a critical incident in Whitiora, Hamilton this morning.

The stand-up will be held at 2pm.

Media area asked to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz for the specific location.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/media-advisory-police-incident-whitiora/

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Hotel closed off, police cordons in place after gunfire in Hamilton

Source: Radio New Zealand

A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton. Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Police have cordoned off streets in Hamilton and the entrance to a hotel has been taped off after reports of gunfire.

A motel staff member inside the cordon says they heard gunshots about 10am on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson said cordons were in place along Ulster Street and Abbotsford Street in the suburb of Whitiora.

The spokesperson said they were responding to an incident but did not provide further details.

Libby Kirkby-McLeod

An RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars can be seen parked in the street and police officers are going door-to-door speaking with people.

They declined to answer questions.

A resident who wanted to go home had been told by police he was not able to at this time.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/hotel-closed-off-police-cordons-in-place-after-gunfire-in-hamilton/

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St Kevin’s College pupils stood down as police probe report of serious bullying

Source: Radio New Zealand

St Kevin’s College in Oamaru. St Kevin’s College / Supplied

Three boys have been stood down from an Oamaru high school while police investigate a serious bullying incident at the school’s hostel.

St Kevin’s College says it is supporting the victim’s family.

In a statement, principal Jo Walshe says the incident was reported immediately and the school acted swiftly.

She says the school can’t provide further comment while the incident is under investigation.

The Otago Daily Times is reporting the incident relates to “waterboarding”.

More to come…

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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/2026/02/04/st-kevins-college-pupils-stood-down-as-police-probe-report-of-serious-bullying/

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Wellington company secures funding for clean fusion power facility

Source: Radio New Zealand

Inside OpenStar Technologies’ fusion reactor near Wellington. OpenStar Technologies

A Wellington-based fusion energy company says funding is in place to build a new research facility with the potential to put Aotearoa at the forefront of clean energy development.

OpenStar Technologies has secured a $35 million commitment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to further their research towards creating a clean fusion power source capable of being scaled up to commercial output.

The Fusion Energy process forces light atomic nuclei to merge – releasing large amounts of energy without the radioactive waste associated with nuclear energy.

OpenStar’s current prototype device – named “Junior” – achieved the crucial milestone of First Plasma – where the device creates and confines the super hot ionized gas needed to trigger the fusion reaction – within two years of development.

The company said Junior – which used a unique approach called the levitated dipole – was the only one of its kind developed with the intention of upscaling to commercial levels of energy production.

Ratu Mataira says by delivering ‘Junior’ proved New Zealand be a global fusion player. OpenStar Technologies

Open star chief executive Ratu Mataira said the government was backing New Zealand researchers to forge a pathway towards developing the next step towards safe, clean and virtually limitless energy.

“By backing this critical infrastructure, the government is effectively de-risking the development of deep-tech in New Zealand.

“In delivering Junior, a machine once considered near impossible, we proved that New Zealand could give birth to a global fusion player. Now with this government commitment, New Zealand has decided to show up as a nation, for the vision of a fusion energy industry here in Aotearoa,” Mataira said.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the technology could provide global benefits while the government’s support would help solidify the country’s role in the rapidly developing Fusion Energy sector, creating highly skilled jobs for years to come.

“Over a century ago, New Zealand scientist Ernest Rutherford pioneered nuclear science. Today we are backing New Zealanders to lead the next big breakthrough in harnessing fusion energy, a technology that could deliver significant benefits for our country and the world,” Jones said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/wellington-company-secures-funding-for-clean-fusion-power-facility/

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Is NZ defence and intelligence policy aligning with AUKUS in all but name?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Macaulay, Senior Tutor and PhD Candidate, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

NZ Defence Force

Across the Pacific and the Southern Ocean, New Zealand has been trying to strike a careful balance in its defence and surveillance approach.

While strengthening its security partnerships and expanding military capabilities, the government has so far said it is only assessing joining Pillar II of the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Pillar I of AUKUS involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar II focuses on cooperation in advanced military technologies, including cyber systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms, undersea capabilities and space-based surveillance.

Yet key documents, including the Defence Capability Plan 2025 and a government procurement process for long-duration aerial surveillance, suggest many of the practical steps Pillar II would involve are already underway.

These far-reaching strategic decisions are being made largely out of public view. And they raise an important question: is New Zealand effectively aligning itself with AUKUS in all but name?

From patrols to permanent surveillance

The Defence Capability Plan is the government’s long-term blueprint for upgrading New Zealand’s military. It proposes a NZ$100–300 million investment in long-range, uncrewed, remotely-piloted aircraft to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across vast ocean areas.

As part of a broader $14 billion defence overhaul, a further $300–600 million is projected for space-based capabilities. This is aimed at integrating New Zealand within shared satellite networks and increasing operational cooperation with security allies.

In parallel, the Persistent Surveillance (Air) Project tender (which recently closed for submissions) invites industry and academia to help design a system for long-duration surveillance across the southwest Pacific and Southern Ocean, involving aircraft, spacecraft and data-management software.

Taken together, these initiatives signal a shift from periodic surveillance patrols to continuous, networked monitoring. This aligns closely with the concept of “multi-domain maritime awareness” under AUKUS Pillar II.

Mindful of public concern about joining AUKUS and any association with nuclear proliferation or deployment of autonomous weapons systems, successive NZ governments have approached the issue cautiously.

The current government appears to be maintaining this careful line. But the proposed New Zealand Defence Force investments and procurement plans suggest a more substantive shift.

The long-range drones, satellite surveillance, data integration and counter-drone technologies outlined in the Defence Capability Plan closely mirror AUKUS Pillar II priorities.

New Zealand may be avoiding formal alignment for now. But defence officials have already been holding talks with the US, UK and Australia about advanced military technologies and surveillance systems.

The risk of being locked in

These policy shifts undoubtedly have benefits for a small country like New Zealand. High-quality surveillance capabilities boost its strategic value to defence partners and give Wellington a stronger voice in maritime monitoring across the Pacific.

But there are also risks. Research suggests integrating surveillance systems with allied networks can create lasting technical and political dependencies.

In turn, this could narrow New Zealand’s capacity to make independent decisions in the Pacific region, or calibrate its engagement with other regional stakeholders, including China and Pacific Island governments.

Arrangements such as the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness – involving Australia, India, Japan and the US, known as the “Quad” – allow countries to merge surveillance data and build a “common operating picture” of activity across the region.

The same is true of the Pacific Fusion Centre’s information-sharing network, PacNet #28. The catch is that these surveillance arrangements tend to lock countries in, with one host controlling how data is gathered and filtered.

Embedding NZ in surveillance networks

New Zealanders are broadly supportive of contributing to regional security. But
polling suggests they are uneasy about being drawn into distant conflicts or military spending that mainly serve the priorities of larger powers.

Autonomous weapons, AI-assisted targeting and militarised space systems are particularly contentious, raising legal and ethical questions about human control.

Defence officials frequently argue that drones and space-enabled surveillance reduce risks to personnel and enhance humanitarian and disaster-response missions. While this may be true, there remains a need for clearer public discussion about how such technologies are deployed and where limits are being set.

For decades, the New Zealand Defence Force has been valued for its nimbleness and principled diplomacy. But the emerging surveillance approach being shaped through procurement decisions, tenders, space-launch licences and software standards is steadily embedding New Zealand within allied security networks.

The government has assured New Zealanders would be kept informed “at every step” about any future partnership with AUKUS.

Such transparency needs to extend to defence policy and strategy in general, before foreign-designed, militarised surveillance systems become the norm across the region.

Nicola Macaulay does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Is NZ defence and intelligence policy aligning with AUKUS in all but name? – https://theconversation.com/is-nz-defence-and-intelligence-policy-aligning-with-aukus-in-all-but-name-274609

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/04/is-nz-defence-and-intelligence-policy-aligning-with-aukus-in-all-but-name-274609/

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Making Winter Olympics a victory for two NZ debutants Lucas Ball and Ruby Star Andrews

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ruby Star Andrews (R) on the podium at a Freeski Slopestyle World Cup. FIS Park & Pipe

Freeskiers Lucas Ball and Ruby Star Andrews are thrilled to have just made it to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Ball was a late addition to the New Zealand team and Andrews seriously wondered if she would recover in time for the Games after a tough injury.

After suffering a dislocated hip, the 21-year-old slopestyle and big air freestyle skier was racing the clock to be fit in time and described the last three months as the “craziest of her life”.

Ruby Star Andrews in action. Supplied.

Andrews said it will be an emotional moment when she wears the New Zealand uniform during Saturday morning’s opening ceremony.

“It’s really, really cool. I’ve worked really hard to be here,” Andrews said.

“It’s really, really special, and I’m so proud to represent my country and do everyone proud.”

Andrews is one of the first New Zealand athletes in action at the Milan Winter Olympics, and despite being at her first Games, she’s a genuine medal chance.

“Yeah, feeling really good. Got to check out the course today, do a little inspection, just ride through the course and have a look at everything and got some ideas flowing, which was fun,” Andrews said.

“It looked like it was riding pretty good. I mean, we didn’t actually get to hit the course itself. We just got to look. So I’m really excited to hit it tomorrow.”

Andrews is enjoying being part of the New Zealand team and will have her family in Italy cheering her on.

“The team vibe that we have is so good and awesome. To have five people in slopestyle is really exciting. It’s a big team, so yeah, it’s going to be cool. My mum and my dad and my sister are coming, so I’m really excited to have them here and supporting me.”

New Zealand Olympians (L to R) Alice Robinson, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Luca Harrington, Fin Melville Ives, Cam Melville Ives, Ben Barclay and Ruby Star Andrews pictured during the New Zealand Team first selection announcement for 2026 Winter Olympic Games. James Allan / PHOTOSPORT

For 17-year-old Lucas Ball, it was a nervous wait to get confirmation he was going to the Milano Cortina Games and the teenager is loving the Olympic experience so far.

“It’s awesome, really cool environment, sick people, sick venue, everything’s awesome,” Ball said.

He is impressed with the slopestyle course – “It’s super good, pretty big rails and features, but should be a lot of fun, very creative.”

Ball is staying in New Zealand House at the moment and is pretty chuffed with the accommodation.

“Good location. I get to sleep with Ben Barclay, we have a pretty nice little room, double bed. Good food, good people, it’s a sick set up.”

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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/2026/02/04/making-winter-olympics-a-victory-for-two-nz-debutants-lucas-ball-and-ruby-star-andrews/

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Hotel closed off, cordons in place as police respond to ‘incident’ in Hamilton

Source: Radio New Zealand

A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton. Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Police have cordoned off streets in Hamilton and the entrance to a hotel has been taped off.

A spokesperson said cordons were in place along Ulster Street and Abbotsford Street in the suburb of Whitiora.

The spokesperson said they were responding to an incident but did not provide further details.

Libby Kirkby-McLeod

An RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars can be seen parked in the street and police officers are going door-to-door speaking with people.

They declined to answer questions.

A resident who wanted to go home had been told by police he was not able to at this time.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/hotel-closed-off-cordons-in-place-as-police-respond-to-incident-in-hamilton/

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How flushable sensors could be used to help clean up Auckland’s beaches

Source: Radio New Zealand

The sensors are flushable, battery-free and no bigger than a cigarette lighter. Supplied

Auckland’s beachgoers well know the frustration of being told to keep out of the water after heavy rain due to wastewater overflow, but researchers at Auckland University have been piloting flushable sensors designed to detect underground sewer faults.

The sensors are about the size of a USB stick, made from plant plastic and use ultra-high radio frequency to allow them to be detected as they move through the networks.

With some 8000 to 9000 sewer pipes under Aucklanders’ feet, the sensors can help find misconnections, where wastewater pipes are wrongly connected to stormwater or where there’s a blockages in sewer pipes causing an overflow.

Two field trials have already been completed with Auckland Council and Watercare in Browns Bay.

Dr Wei-Qin Zhuang is the project’s lead researcher based at the university’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.

He said he wanted to find ways to remove nitrate from waterways safely without the creation of significant greenhouse gas emissions.

He also wanted to look at water quality to detect indicator micro organisms in waterways and drinking water, he said.

There was discussion to identify the water problems specific to Auckland and consider how to use research to mitigate them, he said.

Problems identified included the overflow of the city’s sewer systems, as well as misconnections, Zhuang said.

The research team tried to come up with solutions to identify where there were misconnections on the basis it was less challenging than trying to deal with the overflow issue, he said.

“We developed this UHF-RFID [ultra-high radio frequency identification] based censors to identify illegal connections and we also found that it can be used to identify blockages of our pipes.”

Setting up the test in a stormwater utility hole. Wei-Qin Zhuang

They did not want the censors to be intrusive to avoid having to visit a house and install a bunch of devices to detect the issues, he said.

“So initially we were trying to develop something that can be flushed through our toilet bowls without clogging the pipes, the sewer lateral, and we purposely looked for small devices that has the size that is small enough to be flushed.”

They designed the censors to ensure they could be flushed and then could float on the water “so their sensitivities won’t be compromised by water,” he said.

“After they’ve been flushed into the sewer lateral, they’ll be washed and they’ll flow with the water flow and then get into the sewer mains and then we can install detectors at manholes to detect these censors.”

The censor sends out an ultra-high radio frequency which is then picked up at the various sites, Zhuang said.

“So you flush your censors through toilet bowls and then supposedly all the censors need to go through the sewer manhole, but if we catch some of the censors in the stormwater manhole then we instantly know that which household has a misconnection.”

Blockages can be detected when the censor takes much longer than expected to reach a certain point, he said.

“Then authorities can send CCTV cameras down pipes and see whether the blockage is severe or has just started building up.”

The first generation of the censors could be collected and then composted, while the second generation of the censors dissolve in water after two hours so it did not worsen the blockage situation, he said.

That provided a one hour window to use the censor to detect if there had been a blockage, he said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/how-flushable-sensors-could-be-used-to-help-clean-up-aucklands-beaches/

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Wellington’s Moa Point Wastewater Plant shuts down as floors flood, staff evacuate

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Water’s Moa Point treatment plant (file photo). Wellington Water

Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, with an equipment failure causing multiple floors and key areas of the plant to be inundated with water.

“This is a serious situation, and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period,” says Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty.

He strongly advises the community to stay away from the South Coast beaches.

Untreated wastewater is being discharged into the water and this may occur for some time.

Earlier, Wellington Water had started discharging raw sewage off the city’s south coast, and issued two other wastewater discharge notices, after a mechanical failure and heavy rain.

The mechanical failure, at 3am on Wednesday, caused it to start an unconsented discharge of untreated wastewater from its Moa Point treatment plant.

The water agency said the sewage would emerge at the short outfall into the ocean at Tarakena Bay and may cause the water to appear cloudy or murky.

Meanwhile, during a night of heavy rain, partially treated wastewater was discharged into Wellington’s Karori Stream at 10.45pm on Tuesday. That would also flow into the sea on the south coast.

About half an hour before that, fully treated sewage was released at 10.18pm into Waiwhetū Stream in Lower Hutt, which flows into the sea near Petone beach.

Water monitoring body Land, Air, Water Aotearoa advises people to stay out of the sea for two or three days after heavy rain.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/04/wellingtons-moa-point-wastewater-plant-shuts-down-as-floors-flood-staff-evacuate/