Category: MIL-OSI

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Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae welcomes manuhuri once again for Waitangi celebrations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Tii Marae chairman Ngāti Kawa Taituha says remembering those who have passed in the last year was a beautiful way to begin Waitangi commemorations. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The iconic Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae is once again welcoming manuhiri from across the motu after reopening at last year’s Waitangi celebrations.

The marae, commonly known as Te Tii, welcomed iwi from around the country in a pre-dawn pōwhiri on Tuesday morning, one of eleven it will host this week.

The pōwhiri was also a kawe mate, a mourning ceremony where photos of those who have recently died are brought to a marae.

Among those remembered this year were activist Hinewhare Harawira and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ariki Tumu Te Heuheu. His son and successor Te Rangimaheu was in attendance.

Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Marae Chairman Ngāti Kawa Taituha said it was a beautiful moment to welcome Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and the taumata acknowledged the many connections between Waitangi and Tūwharetoa.

“Hepi Te Heuheu opened our whare tupuna in 1977. So that was our connection with Tumu and down to Te Rangimaheu.”

Remembering those who have passed in the last year was a good way to begin the commemorations at Waitangi this week, he said.

Governor-General Cindy Kiro will be welcomed to the marae on Tuesday, a first as she has previously only been welcomed to the Whare Runanga on the Upper Treaty Grounds, he said.

Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Taituha said there has been some discussion among Ngāpuhi leaders about moving all pōwhiri back to the lower Marae.

“They’ve seen the beautification of our whare tūpuna, the new carvings, the whole restoration, and it’s kind of a reflection on where we’re at as a people, as a whānau, as Ngāti Kawa, Ngāti Rāhiri, Te Matarahurahu.”

More and more people are gravitating to the marae, he said.

Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Although there is still a little bit more work to do, he said, with additional carvings only added to the sides of the doorway of the whare in the last week.

“So there’s a big kōrero with that with the quill… and on the other side is a scroll. And so that’s to acknowledge our documents, of course. He Whakaputanga, Declaration of Independence and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“So it’s just again, adding and enhancing the mana of our tūpuna, the signatories, and then down to us, the descendants and here we are today, carrying out all that mahi of our forebearers. Putting in all the effort to set up our next generation. Obviously, that’s what it’s all about for us.”

A sunrise sets over Te Tii beach as Waitangi commemorations commence. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/te-tiriti-o-waitangi-marae-welcomes-manuhuri-once-again-for-waitangi-celebrations/

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We ate space mushrooms and survived to tell the tale

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology

Eating the space mushrooms for the first time. Author provided, CC BY-SA

The mushrooms spread out on the chopping board seemed normal enough. They were rich and dense, and had a strong earthy aroma. In the saucepan, they melted – along with the cheese – to form a creamy pasta sauce.

A quick taste test proved they were delicious. The rich lion’s mane flavour immediately shone through.

This was the first meal we made with these unique mushrooms. They were gourmet, but not from any grocery store you can find on Earth.

These special fungi had travelled to space, lived aboard the International Space Station for more than a month, returned safely to Earth, and eventually came back to Australia in 2025.

Dr Sara Webb and Dr Rebecca Allen holding the newly grown lion’s mane mushroom.
Author provided, CC BY

Mushrooms launch into space

In August 2024, we launched a set of 36 small vials into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. In these vials were three edible fungi species in the form of mycelium – small file filaments that act like the root network of mushrooms.

The species we tested were lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), turkey’s tail (Trametes versicolor) and cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris). These have shown benefits for brain function, gut health, and immune health – all important areas for long term space flight.

This experiment was our sixth payload to the International Space Station (ISS), thanks to the microgravity experimentation program we lead at Swinburne University of Technology.

It was designed and prototyped with the help of 12 high school students from Haileybury College in Melbourne. And it was made possible thanks to professional mushroom growers and suppliers who ensured the fungal strains were not only food grade but healthy enough to survive the extreme environment of space.

Our fungi may have stayed on the ISS with astronauts. But the mushrooms’ experience was very different to the astronauts’. Science experiments have special storage areas depending on what is being done and how much time astronauts have to be involved. Our mycelium was sealed up tight in special packaging to help keep them at a stable temperature and to ensure they weren’t damaged.

They stayed like that for close to a month, before they returned with the change of crew on the ISS.

We didn’t get much in the way of updates while our mushrooms were travelling – just some pictures and videos from NASA of the outside of the safely sealed experiment.

On their return, we waited with bated breath to see if they would survive once opened.

The mushrooms on board the International Space Station.
NASA, CC BY-SA

Mushrooms return to Earth

When our mycelium returned to Earth, and eventually Australia, they got a new home in rich, nutritious substrate. We then moved it into grow kits so we could watch and see whether any fruiting bodies (that is, mushrooms) would appear.

We created several grow boxes and placed them in different environments to see what conditions were best – from kitchen benches, to staff room tables, to laboratory fridges.

To our delight, within a few days we saw signs of the mushrooms emerging and within a week we had beautiful lion’s mane ready to be cooked up and enjoyed. Once they were ready, we harvested them and tried different recipes.

As well as eating these mushrooms, we’re also in the process of analysing them closely. But we can say now that the reduced gravity environment did not negatively impact our mycelium. In fact, they seem to be so happy that they continued to produce several rounds of mushrooms.

Mushrooms for long-term space missions

Artemis II – NASA’s crewed mission to the moon – is right around the corner. But there is still a lot that we need to understand to provide the best conditions for astronauts as they venture further into space than ever before.

For example, how will we continue to nutritionally support astronauts for weeks to months on long duration missions?

We know that a low gravity environment has a profound impact on human bodies, and one of the best ways to support astronauts in orbit is with nutritional foods.

Another outstanding question we need to answer is whether food produced in space environments be affected by radiation and other stresses, rendering it less valuable.

Our work – and these special mushrooms – are helping to provide crucial answers.

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. We ate space mushrooms and survived to tell the tale – https://theconversation.com/we-ate-space-mushrooms-and-survived-to-tell-the-tale-274112

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/03/we-ate-space-mushrooms-and-survived-to-tell-the-tale-274112/

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Why regularly taking laxatives over the long term can be a bad idea

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Associate Professor and Clinical Academic Gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University

Photo by Anna Shvets/Pexels

If you’ve ever been constipated you may have tried laxatives. They’re easy to get without a prescription and often help get things moving.

Certainly a lot of people use laxatives and some older people are very reliant on them to help with bowel function.

But you might have heard it’s not a good idea to take them over the long term. Even though serious complications from chronic laxative use are rare, they do happen. That’s why, whenever possible, long-term laxative use should be guided and monitored by a doctor.

Types of laxatives

There are five main types of laxatives (all are oral):

  1. bulk-forming laxatives (also known as fibre laxatives), which absorb water to form a soft, bulky stool and prompt normal contraction of bowel muscles. Common brands include Metamucil and Benefiber

  2. osmotic laxatives, which draw water into the colon to allow easier passage of stool. Common brands include Osmolax, Actilax and Movicol

  3. stool softeners such as docusate (brand name Coloxyl), which acts like a detergent and allows fat and water to mix in with hard stool – this makes it softer and easier to pass

  4. stimulant laxatives, which trigger rhythmic contractions of the bowel muscle. Common brands include Dulcolax, Bisalax and Senna

  5. lubricant laxatives, which coat the bowel and soften the stool. A common brand is Parachoc.

Starting a laxative

Before starting a laxative you should try dietary and lifestyle changes such as:

  • eating more foods with fibre in them, such as kiwifruit, corn, oats and brown rice
  • drinking more water
  • doing more exercise.

But if constipation persists, you might think about a laxative. Consider starting with gentler options, such as the bulk-forming laxatives or stool softeners, and implement those dietary and lifestyle changes listed above.

It’s a good idea to see your local doctor when starting a laxative; constipation may be a sign of something more concerning, especially if there are other symptoms such as rectal bleeding.

Your doctor can also advise whether laxatives might interact with any other medications you take.

Do laxatives cause a ‘lazy colon’?

Probably not. So where does this idea come from?

A case report published in the 1960s described bowel changes in a patient who had been taking stimulant laxatives for more than 40 years.

When the colon was examined, doctors noticed a reduced number of key cells in the colon. This sparked concern about whether long-term use of stimulant laxatives could result in damage to the gut, culminating in a “lazy colon” (also known as a cathartic colon). This is when the colon becomes an inert tube with no real muscle function to push along stool.

However, a later review of more than 70 publications describing 240 cases of stimulant laxative abuse found no cases of cathartic colon reported. Researchers concluded the prior cathartic colon cases might have been linked to a laxative called podophyllin that is now no longer recommended.

A review of 43 publications on the safety of stimulant laxatives discovered many of the studies were of poor quality, with small sample size. Confounding factors, such as medications and age, were often not being taken into account.

It found no good evidence chronic use of stimulant laxatives damages the gut.

That said, there are other good reasons not to take laxatives regularly and over the long term unless advised by a doctor who is monitoring your progress.

Gut symptoms and electrolytes

Laxative abuse is when someone takes laxatives to lose weight through frequent and repeated use of laxatives.

The most common symptom of laxative abuse is diarrhoea, which can mean abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

But laxative abuse can also disrupt the body’s electrolytes.

The main electrolyte in poo is potassium. As the body loses more and more potassium through diarrhoea, you can end up with lower blood potassium levels.

This can lead to:

  • generalised muscle weakness
  • heart complications
  • changes in heart rhythm
  • in extreme cases, stopping your heart beat, which can lead to death.

A 2020 systematic review of case reports found that laxative abuse can cause mild to severe cases of cardiac complications.

Laxative abuse can also lower other electrolytes, such as calcium and magnesium, leading to painful muscle contractions. Occasionally the kidney can be severely affected by chronic laxative abuse.

If you take just the recommended dose of laxatives, though, the risk of serious electrolyte complications is extremely low.

Depression, dementia and mental health

Two UK studies that examined a data set of approximately half a million participants found regular laxative use was associated with a higher risk of developing depression and dementia.

One theory is chronic laxative abuse could alter what’s known as the microbiome-gut-brain-axis (the way microbiota and the brain communicate) and lead to a higher risk of conditions such as depression and dementia.

Laxative abuse is commonly associated with eating disorders, so it’s important anyone found to be abusing laxatives also undergo a comprehensive mental health assessment. A plan might be needed to address the broader problem.

Safe when taken properly

Laxatives are obtained easily without a prescription and are very widely used in the community. They are certainly helpful for treating chronic constipation.

However, they can cause side effects such as diarrhoea and electrolyte imbalances. Long-term use and overuse can lead to problems.

It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting laxatives, especially if you have other medical issues or are taking other medications.

Vincent Ho 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 regularly taking laxatives over the long term can be a bad idea – https://theconversation.com/why-regularly-taking-laxatives-over-the-long-term-can-be-a-bad-idea-269404

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/03/why-regularly-taking-laxatives-over-the-long-term-can-be-a-bad-idea-269404/

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Woman faces assault charges after attack on bus driver in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

The woman is alleged to have attacked the driver on Queen Street. File picture. RNZ / Diego Opatowski

A woman is facing serious assault charges after a bus driver was attacked on Auckland’s Queen Street.

Auckland Area Commander Grae Anderson, said the 20-year-old woman tried to board the bus on Monday night but the driver refused her entry on account of her acting “unusually”.

The woman then chased the bus down Queen Street, got on board, and allegedly attacked the driver.

Police spotted a person matching the woman’s description near Vulcan Lane.

She ran off but police caught up with her.

She has been charged with injuring with intent to injure and will appear in court on Tuesday.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/woman-faces-assault-charges-after-attack-on-bus-driver-in-auckland/

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Name release: Jones Road crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now name the man that died in a single-vehicle crash on Jones Road in Rolleston on Monday 5 January.

He was 22-year-old Connor Cossey from Rolleston.

Police extend our sympathies to the loved ones of Connor.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/name-release-jones-road-crash/

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Emergency crews rush to Hawkes Bay Airport after plane alert

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Fire and Emergency were called to Hawke’s Bay Airport after an alert was put out about a small plane.

A police spokesperson told RNZ during landing the plane nose landing gear appeared to be damaged.

Seven fire trucks, two tankers and a command unit were called to the scene just after 10am on Tuesday.

Crews were stood down after the plane landed safely, FENZ said, with crews assisting in cleaning up a small fuel leak.

Hato Hone St John was also notified of the incident.

Two ambulances and one helicopter responded, but had since been stood down, a spokesperson said.

The airport was temporarily closed, with the Civil Aviation Authority taking over the site, an airport spokesperson said.

It has since been reopened.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/emergency-crews-rush-to-hawkes-bay-airport-after-plane-alert/

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Facebook Marketplace sale ends in car chase, armed confrontation in Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Armed police took three men into custody. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A Facebook Marketplace transaction gone wrong in the Far North led to alleged confrontation with a gun, a car chase and armed police spiking the suspects’ vehicle.

Detective senior sergeant Chris Fouhy said the dispute started near Kāeo, with police receiving a call about 8pm on Monday that a man was being chased north on State Highway 10 by another vehicle.

A firearm was also reportedly pointed at the victim.

Fouhy said multiple police units responded from across the district and managed to stop the chasing vehicle using road spikes at Taipā Bridge around 9pm.

Armed police then took the three men in the car into custody without further incident.

They were aged between 16 and 19.

Fouhy said the dispute appeared to have been sparked by a Facebook Marketplace transaction.

Enquiries were continuing into the full circumstances of what happened, how many cars were involved and the whereabouts of the reported firearm.

It is not known what was being sold on Marketplace.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/facebook-marketplace-sale-ends-in-car-chase-armed-confrontation-in-northland/

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Joint statement on Antarctic Cooperation between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of New Zealand, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”, share a commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System, both being Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty and Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

The Participants cooperate for the promotion of shared interests in Antarctica, including under the Memorandum of Arrangement between Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung and the Antarctica New Zealand, signed in 2024, on science cooperation and collaborative efforts in Antarctic research. 

As the National Antarctic Programmes of the Participants operate Antarctic stations in the Ross Sea region, Gondwana Station operated by Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe and Scott Base operated by Antarctica New Zealand, both countries see value in continuing to share operational knowledge and best practice in a collaborative manner. 

The Participants have a strong interest in protecting the integrity of the Antarctic Treaty System, to keep this unique part of the world peaceful, demilitarised, free of commercial mining indefinitely, and comprehensively protected. Both countries have a strong record of support for the key principles of the Antarctic Treaty System and are committed to advocating that all Treaty Parties adhere to the principles of the Treaty and their obligations under its Protocol on Environmental Protection, including by carrying out Antarctic Treaty inspections. 

The Participants affirm that the Antarctic Treaty System provides for comprehensive governance and management of the Antarctic, and they will promote coherence and coordination between the Antarctic Treaty System and other relevant legal instruments, frameworks, and bodies.

In the spirit of the principle of cooperation in the Antarctic Treaty, both countries wish to strengthen Antarctic cooperation on subjects of common interest. Conscious of the value of regular dialogue on Antarctic issues, representatives of the Participants will:

Discuss and collaborate on issues related to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP), and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), with the aim of ensuring a strong Antarctic Treaty System;
Support ongoing scientific cooperation between research institutions and exchanges on operational matters between National Antarctic Programmes, including exploring opportunities to formalise cooperation between Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe and Antarctica New Zealand;
Seek to identify and open further opportunities for cooperation and collaboration, on scientific research and environmental protection and management; and
Meet annually to discuss issues of mutual interest. These meetings will preferably take place on the margins of the ATCM or CCAMLR, and, as appropriate, of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP).

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/joint-statement-on-antarctic-cooperation-between-the-government-of-the-federal-republic-of-germany-and-the-government-of-new-zealand/

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New Zealand and Germany strengthen partnership

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Germany have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   

“New Zealand and Germany share deep concerns about global developments across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo Pacific,” Mr Peters, who met his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in the Bay of Islands today, says. “At a time of geostrategic upheaval, it is important to reinforce relationships with trusted partners.”

Following their meeting, Ministers Peters and Wadephul released a Joint Statement reaffirming the importance of the New Zealand-Germany relationship. 

“The foundation of our relationship with Germany is our shared interests and values, including commitment to democracy, human rights and a well-functioning and fit-for-purpose multilateral system,” Mr Peters says. 

“The world’s challenges are inter-connected, which is why New Zealand is so committed to doing its part in defending Ukraine, and why Germany is increasing its support for the Pacific. The current strength of the German–New Zealand relationship provides a solid foundation for even deeper collaboration in the years to come.

 “German connections matter to New Zealand. Within Europe it is our largest export market. We partner together on cutting edge science and space research. We welcome German tourists and young people on working holidays, and have strong education links,” Mr Peters says. 

The Ministers also issued a Joint Statement on Antarctic Cooperation.  

 “We both support the work of the Antarctic Treaty System for the long-term protection of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science,” Mr Peters says.     

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/new-zealand-and-germany-strengthen-partnership/

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Joint statement by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and German Federal Foreign Minister H.E. Wadephul

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Germany met today to reaffirm our close and enduring partnership grounded in shared democratic values, a commitment to the global order based on international law and a determination to address global challenges collaboratively. We celebrated the strength of our bilateral relationship and expressed our shared intention to further deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, security and people-to-people domains.

We underscored our firm commitment to upholding international law and the UN Charter, and to support multilateralism, with the United Nations and its institutions at its core. We noted with concern the growing pressures on international rules and institutions and restated our shared conviction that collective action is essential to global stability.

New Zealand and Germany recognise the interconnected nature of European and Indo-Pacific security and prosperity. We discussed our shared interests in promoting stability, sovereignty and freedom of navigation. Germany welcomes New Zealand’s ongoing support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 illegal full-scale invasion, including financial contributions to NATO-aligned initiatives, deployment of NZDF personnel to Germany and other parts of Europe, and mutually reinforcing sanctions, which aligns with Germany’s longstanding commitment to European security and to countering threats to territorial integrity. Both sides reiterated our opposition to coercive or destabilising actions in any region. 

Germany and New Zealand reiterated that adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the seas and oceans must be carried out, is essential to peace and stability, and both sides express strong support for ASEAN centrality. 

New Zealand outlined the ongoing efforts of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members to build Pacific resilience and regional stability and welcomed Germany’s decade-long engagement as a Dialogue Partner of the PIF. Germany supported these initiatives, including through its pledge to the Pacific Resilience Facility, and reiterated its intention to deepen engagement with Pacific partners. We also recognised the implications arising from climate change and sea level rise for security.

We affirmed the need for resilient, diversified supply chains and open, rules-based trade. We were pleased to note that the European Union-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is exceeding expectations for increased trade and mutual prosperity. We welcomed ambition to upgrade the New Zealand-Germany Double-Taxation Agreement to further deepen economic ties. New Zealand discussed its participation in initiatives to strengthen critical mineral investment and strategic economic partnerships. We also recognised the importance of innovation, energy, space and digital cooperation and partnerships in supporting prosperity in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe. 

As close partners we reiterated our commitment to human rights, democratic governance and fundamental freedoms, emphasising that these principles are essential foundations for security and prosperity.

New Zealand welcomed recent and forthcoming repatriations of Māori and Moriori ancestors and taonga Māori from several institutions across Germany as a welcome example of strong cultural ties between our countries. 

New Zealand and Germany concluded by reaffirming our commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and working together in pursuit of a stable, secure and prosperous international environment. We welcomed ongoing dialogue at all levels and agreed to maintain close coordination on global and regional issues of shared concern.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/joint-statement-by-new-zealand-foreign-minister-winston-peters-and-german-federal-foreign-minister-h-e-wadephul/

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The big issue with Super Rugby Pacific’s new law changes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Referee James Doleman during the Crusaders v Blues, Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final match. Martin Hunter/ActionPress

  • Super Rugby Pacific’s new law tweaks aim to speed up play and reduce stoppages.
  • Players will be getting fewer reps in key test-match scenarios like fielding kicks and positional play.
  • This could create a disconnect between the style players experience for most of the year and the repetition-driven demands of international rugby.

Analysis – Super Rugby Pacific is back next weekend and will look a bit different, thanks to some new law changes. Designed to reduce stoppages, inspire positive play and – most importantly, simplify the viewing experience, they have been pretty well received by a public keen to see a repeat of last year’s highly entertaining competition.

Probably the most far obvious will be the new sanction for joining a ruck after the referee has called ‘use it’, which should mean the ball is cleared quicker. Accidental offsides and teams delaying playing the ball away from a ruck are now free kicks, so in turn here’s more leeway around taking quick taps.

One that probably won’t be seen often but will certainly have an impact is it will no longer be mandatory for the referee to issue a yellow or red card to a player on the defending team when awarding a penalty try. There seems to be an awful lot of guesswork around this at the moment in open play, with players carded being more unlucky than anything else, but the real positive is that it won’t result in a mess at scrum time.

Referee James Doleman. Mark Evans/ActionPress

A dominant attacking scrum on an opponent’s line that results in a penalty try also meant that a defensive side’s prop would get binned, therefore needing to be replaced at the next scrum. That in turn meant that another player would have to go off to reduce their numbers, if this happened late in a game it would mean rolling players back on who have already been subbed.

So not bad at all from the officials who have put all this together in order to get some free flowing rugby going.

Tamaiti Williams scores the winning try during the Crusaders v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Joseph Johnson/ActionPress

The only issue, and it’s not a new one, is that this is all for Super Rugby Pacific only. Once July rolls around, those changes don’t apply for test matches and the effects of that may well be playing a part in why the All Blacks have struggled in the last few seasons.

It’s not that the players can’t snap back into playing a tighter game plan, they are professionals and should be able to do that easily. Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie have both shown that they can run the ball out of their 22 from February to June, then kick it more often than not when they’re in a black jersey.

But the problem isn’t at their end. Speeding the game up and presumably reducing kicking means players coming through at the other won’t be exposed to as many repetitions as their foreign counterparts. The average back three player won’t have had to field anywhere near as many bombs, track across the field chasing kicks, or simply position themselves on field as an English or South African of the same age. Meanwhile props won’t have as many scrums, halfbacks won’t box kick as often, and so on.

Noah Hotham of the Crusaders kicks during the Super Rugby Pacific Final. John Davidson / www.photosport.nz

It’s offset somewhat by the fact that by the business end of Super Rugby is played in colder conditions, with more on the line, so therefore the gameplans will adjust accordingly. One look at last year’s final can attest to that, but the fact still remains that Super Rugby Pacific is the tier below a test rugby landscape that’s moved far closer to repetitive scenarios decided by fine margins than off the cuff play.

Again, that’s not new. It’s just that those fine margins seem to be far more in the favour of who the All Blacks are playing.

One thing is for sure, with Super Rugby Pacific, though; they’ve stayed committed to reducing the role of the TMO in general play, with the man upstairs only allowed to intervene unprompted if the referee has overlooked an act of serious foul play or some other massively obvious error when a team scores a try.

Which is bound to be popular and hopefully catches on in test rugby, because while we should all be mindful of how difficult the officials’ jobs are these days, no one likes watching them talk to each other all that much.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/the-big-issue-with-super-rugby-pacifics-new-law-changes/

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Emergency crews rush to Hawkes Bay Airport small after plane alert

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Fire and Emergency were called to Hawke’s Bay Airport after an alert was put out about a small plane.

A police spokesperson told RNZ during landing the plane nose landing gear appeared to be damaged.

Seven fire trucks, two tankers and a command unit were called to the scene just after 10am on Tuesday.

Crews were stood down after the plane landed safely, FENZ said, with crews assisting in cleaning up a small fuel leak.

Hato Hone St John was also notified of the incident.

Two ambulances and one helicopter responded, but had since been stood down, a spokesperson said.

The airport was temporarily closed, with the Civil Aviation Authority taking over the site, an airport spokesperson said.

It has since been reopened.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/emergency-crews-rush-to-hawkes-bay-airport-small-after-plane-alert/

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Water storage investment supports regional resilience and long-term food production

Source: New Zealand Government

Investment through the Māori Development Fund to support early work on a proposed water storage reservoir near Kaitaia will help strengthen regional resilience and support food production, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.

The project, led by Te Make Farms Ltd and owned by Ngāi Takoto, is focused on improving year-round water security in Northland, where variable weather can place pressure on land use and supply.

“Reliable water infrastructure is one of the basics that underpins productive land use, regional jobs, and food supply,” Mr Potaka says.

“That’s why the Government is focused on fixing the basics early, by supporting practical work that helps landowners plan properly and make informed decisions.” The Māori Development Fund co-investment is supporting Te Make Farms Ltd to commission technical advice and assessments, including preparatory work for a future resource consent application. 

Mr Potaka says getting the fundamentals right at the front end gives projects the best chance of delivering long-term value.

“Once a water storage facility is in place, Ngāi Takoto expects to significantly increase the amount of land in production, strengthening output and resilience while keeping the land in Māori ownership.”

The co-investment positions Te Make Farms Ltd to progress the project over time and attract further investment, with ownership and decision-making remaining with the whenua owners.

Notes to editors 

  • Te Puni Kōkiri administers the Māori Development Fund and is investing $191,700 to help Te Make Farms Ltd access expert technical advice. Te Make Farms Ltd is investing a similar amount in cash and in-kind contributions to progress the work. • Organisations applying to the Māori Development Fund must fit funding priorities, meet criteria and be able to report on outcomes achieved. See www.tpk.govt.nz for more information.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/water-storage-investment-supports-regional-resilience-and-long-term-food-production/

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Academics call for divestment from NZ pensions fund implicated in Gaza

COMMENTARY: By Vincent Wijeysingha

Will maximising investment returns override ethics? That is the question the tertiary sector posed to UniSaver, the academic equivalent of KiwiSaver, now revealed to invest in Israeli weapons and military intelligence.

In 2024, some 400 university staff appealed to UniSaver to divest from such companies.

The fund initially ignored the call.

The fund issued a statement in September 2025 emphasising its fiduciary duty to ensure best performance, arguing divestment was unnecessary because the New Zealand government had not imposed sanctions against Israel, and noting its Israel-linked exposure is only 0.11 percent of total assets.

After a November open letter signed by 715 staff, nearly double the earlier number, UniSaver agreed to meet representatives of the group.

What should the tenor of those discussions be?

And why should any of this matter to the average New Zealander returning from the summer lull, facing a new year that looks uncomfortably like the last, with no sign from the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation last weekend that domestic pressures will ease?

The core question
This is the core question: with so many local concerns, why should the Israel–Palestine conflict matter?

Or, more pointedly, why should 0.11 percent of a pension fund belonging to a relatively privileged cohort matter to those worried about jobs, the cost of living, and healthcare?

Global issues are closer than we think. The suffering of Gazans and the anxieties of New Zealanders share a root: public policy framed as instrumental and amoral, where the wellbeing of persons is sacrificed to detached abstractions of markets and efficiencies while morality and integrity are treated as incidental.

These attitudes yield the same harvest everywhere: dehumanisation, insecurity, and the corrosion of civic trust.

Our only defence is a moral standpoint that declares “thus far shall you come, and no farther”.

When a society publicly avows that certain principles, human dignity and the integrity of persons, are non negotiable, it restores those ideals to the centre of the public square.

This is what a rules-based order is for: to foreground the human person before power and profit. Where such an order is honoured, flourishing follows; where it is neglected, flourishing is the first casualty.

Small acts of moral probity — even a mere 0.11 percent — may appear inconsequential.

Beacons for human progress
Yet as articulations of what we hold valuable, they resound deeply in the moral universe. They are the lit matches that, gathered, become the beacon that lights human progress.

Recent years have seen our public life dominated by the contrary impulse: to measure every policy by an economic yardstick calibrated to austerity.

As we enter an election year, two paths lie before us: one paved by slavish adherence to instrumental rationality, the other by a politics that puts people in a place of honour and treats wellbeing, security, and human flourishing as the purpose, not by product, of policy.

We have precedents. In the 1930s, as the world entered a moment not unlike our own, New Zealand, small, distant, still reeling from the Depression, adopted what became known as a moral foreign policy.

After that most devastating conflict, we added our voice to a chorus that helped shape a rules-based international order privileging human rights, cooperation, and diplomacy over war.

From the gradual undermining of that settlement, particularly after the crisis-ridden 1970s, one can trace many of today’s global and national disorders.

So what has all this to do with UniSaver?

Instability gathering pace
From our relatively safe redoubt at the bottom of the world, we watch instability elsewhere gather pace. Shall we respond in the same polarising, amoral terms or recover the loftier stance that once gave us outsized moral influence?

The UniSaver Board now faces a profound opportunity. In opposing the 715 who call for ethical investment, it has chosen expediency over ethics.

But morality often begins with small, unfashionable acts that grow, over time, into the juggernaut of social change.

Consider how a small student-led divestment campaign in the 1950s catalysed what became the global movement that helped topple South African apartheid.

Such actions shift the parameters of the values debate. Even if it concerns only 0.11 percent, UniSaver can redraw the moral horizon.

If its decision signals that we value a fair go for all — yes, even for far off Palestinians — it will achieve far more than a simple reassignment of assets.

It will have reminded us who we are.

And it will return UniSaver to being an institution to be proud of, one that affirms that people matter at least as much as the return on investment.

Dr Vincent Wijeysingha is senior lecturer in social work and social policy at Massey University. He is a member of Uni Workers 4 Palestine but writes here in a personal capacity.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/03/academics-call-for-divestment-from-nz-pensions-fund-implicated-in-gaza/

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How much less than asking price are house buyers paying?

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

If you’re in the market for a new house, you might be wondering what to offer on any you’re interested in.

Do you offer the asking price? Try to cut 10 percent off? How hard do you negotiate?

As new data from Realestate.co.nz shows a 1.5 percent dip in average asking price in January, Cotality has confirmed that the gap between what sellers are asking and buyers are willing to pay appears to be shrinking.

Chief economist Kelvin Davidson said, excluding auctions, the median discount that buyers paid on the original list price of properties sold in 2025 was 3.8 percent.

It was 4.2 percent in 2024, 4.6 percent in 2023, 5.1 percent in 2022 and 2.9 percent in 2021.

Gisborne had the biggest discount, at 5.9 percent. That was followed by Northland at 5.5 percent and the West Coast at 5 percent. Taranaki had the smallest, at 3.1 percent.

Davidson said that could be affected by sellers in Taranaki setting more reasonable asking prices to start with.

“In some ways it’s a marketing tool. You’re never quite sure if someone is just hoping for too much of whether they’re actually setting a reasonable asking price or what their true motivations might be.

“Over time the availability of information to both sellers and buyers has widened. Any time, anybody can look up a free valuation estimate or you could come to Cotality, for example, and pay for a higher grade one but either way that information is widely available. It suggests that the chances vendors can sneak an above-market asking price in there have probably reduced because everybody’s got the same information and they are going to know what’ s unrealistic.

“I guess it applies to buyers as well …the chances putting in a sneaky 10 percent under offer and getting it accepted are also reduced because maybe asking prices are more realistic to start with.

“The scope for an excessive price is probably reduced but at the same time the scope for buyers to get a sneaky deal is probably reduced.”

The data does not include properties that went to auction.

Property prices have been broadly flat in recent years even as vendor discounts have reduced, suggesting it is sellers who have shifted their expectations.

“The longer the flat patch goes on the more people are saying ‘I just want to get this done I’ll set a more reasonable asking price’,” Davidson said.

“I think if you’re a market watcher, maybe you’ve been thinking about selling, maybe you held back because you thought ‘oh the market might pick up I’ll wait’. Now you might not necessarily be… you have to sell at some point. I think in general the fact those discounts have been slowly trending down suggests people are just being a bit more realistic than they might have been a few years ago.”

Realestate.co.nz said national stock levels rose 2.3 percent year-on-year in January, the first time the number of available properties for sale hit more than 33,000 in January since 2014.

Gisborne led the pack, with a 15.1 percent increase in available stock.

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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/2026/02/03/how-much-less-than-asking-price-are-house-buyers-paying/

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RIF investment supports Māori initiatives

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is investing $6.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to kick-start two horticulture developments on underutilised land, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka say.

“This infrastructure investment will bring collectively owned Māori land into productive use in Northland and Waikato. It will strengthen local horticulture supply chains and accelerate an iwi-led shift in land use,” Mr Jones says.

The two initiatives being funded are: 

  • Ngā Pūriri Pūmau – a kiwifruit development in Te Tai Tokerau, to be delivered by Oromahoe and Rangihamama Omapere trusts, will receive a $4m loan and $200,000 grant.
  • Ngāti Hauā Horticulture – a horticulture development in Waikato, to be delivered by Ngāti Hauā, will receive a $2.05m repayable grant. 

Ngā Puriri Pūmau will be supported by the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) through funding orchard preparation and infrastructure including irrigation systems, drainage, access tracks, orchard structures, and shelter belts. 

“With a total project value of $20.7 million, the RIF’s $4.2 million contribution has unlocked major local co-investment from Ngāpuhi Investment fund Tupu Tonu, and other key players in the local horticulture sector,” 

“This opportunity transforms underutilised land into high value horticulture and delivers long-term economic benefits for whānau in Te Tai Tokerau,” Mr Jones says.

The project will create around 10 FTE jobs during construction, nine permanent jobs and ongoing seasonal work.

The Ngāti Hauā horticulture project will bring nine whānau owned land blocks, totalling more than 90 hectares into commercial production, growing asparagus, strawberries, and blueberries. The RIF funding will build essential infrastructure, expand packhouse capacity, and support the first crop plantings.

The project will create around 11 jobs during construction, five permanent jobs, and up to 30 seasonal horticulture and post-harvest jobs. 

“This project is helping build a sustainable horticulture industry to support whānau for generations in Waikato,” Mr Potaka says.

The project has a total cost of $5.1m and is supported by co-funding from investors and joint venture‑ partners in Peria LP under the Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust, alongside the RIF contribution. 

“These initiatives show what is possible when iwi leadership and government support align behind a shared vision. They are delivering productive whenua Māori, stronger regional economies, and opportunities that will outlast this generation, and support generations to come,” Mr Potaka says.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Note to Editors: 

Funding is approved in principle and announced, after which contracts are negotiated. Some funding may depend on updated information as agreed in contract negotiation. Payments are made once agreed milestones are met. These are set as part of contract negotiations and differ from project to project.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/rif-investment-supports-maori-initiatives/

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All Blacks to kick off 2027 Rugby World Cup against Chile

Source: Radio New Zealand

Beauden Barrett after the All Blacks v Ireland, Gallagher Cup test match, Soldier Field, Chicago. ActionPress

The All Blacks will open their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign with a Pool A match against Chile in Perth on Saturday 2 October.

The All Blacks then take on hosts the Wallabies in Sydney the following Saturday, with their final pool game against Hong Kong China in Melbourne on Friday 15 October.

The All Blacks have never played Chile or Hong Kong China in a test.

Caleb Clarke of New Zealand. New Zealand All Blacks v Australia Wallabies, Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship rugby union test match at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 28 September 2024. © Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

In releasing the schedule, tournament organisers resisted the temptation to open the tournament with a clash between Bledisloe Cup rivals New Zealand and Australia, with the Wallabies kicking off the tournament against Hong Kong China in Perth on Friday 1 October.

The defending champion Springboks begin their World Cup against Italy in Adelaide on Sunday 3 October, before games against Georgia in Brisbane and Romania in Perth.

The Springboks, in Pool B, will be looking for an unprecedented third World Cup win in a row.

South Africa’s No 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu dives to score a try against Argentina in a Rugby Championship match, 27 December, 2025. AFP

The draw also sets up a probable quarter-final between the All Blacks and Springboks.

Other major team match ups have Ireland and Scotland in Pool D, while England and Wales are both in Pool F.

The tournament will be the first in an expanded format, featuring six pools of four teams. The top two teams from each pool plus the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the knockout phase.

Australia will host the World Cup for the second time, after the 2003 edition in which the Wallabies went in as defending champions only to lose to England in the final.

To date, it is the only time a northern hemisphere side has won the World Cup.

The World Cup will take place in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Townsville and Newcastle. Sydney’s Stadium Australia will host the final.

All Blacks pool matches at 2027 Rugby World Cup:

All Blacks vs Chile – Perth – 2 October 2027 – 6:15pm NZT

All Blacks vs Australia – Sydney – 9 October 2027 – 7:10pm NZT

All Blacks vs Hong Kong China – 15 October 2027 – 7:15 NZT

Other match Match schedule highlights:

  • 24 teams, 52 matches, 19 match days, 7 cities and 8 venues
  • Opening match: Australia v Hong Kong China – 1 October, 2027, Perth Stadium
  • Final: 13 November, Stadium Australia, Sydney
  • Super Sunday (17 October): five matches played in a single day for the first time ever to deliver an exciting end to the pool phase: Italy v Georgia, Ireland v Uruguay, Scotland v Portugal, France v Samoa, South Africa v Romania.
  • Knockout Drama: Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney will host the first-ever round of 16, followed by quarter-finals in Brisbane and Sydney, and then the semi-finals, bronze final, and the RWC Final at Stadium Australia on Saturday 13 November.

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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/2026/02/03/all-blacks-to-kick-off-2027-rugby-world-cup-against-chile/

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Driver licence system overhaul unveiled

Source: Radio New Zealand

A shake-up for the driver licensing system is on its way, with changes the government says will make it a lot cheaper for those looking to get their licence.

The changes include no longer needing to sit a second practical test to get a full licence, an increased learner period for those under 25, fewer eyesight screenings and an expanded zero-alcohol rule.

Making the announcement in Auckland on Tuesday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the current system was “expensive, outdated and no longer works as well as it should”.

The changes will mean it’s “significantly cheaper” to get a full driver licence, Bishop said. He also said New Zealand was an outlier in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from a restricted licence to a full licence.

“Removing the second practical test reduces costs and makes it easier to progress to a full licence, provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted licence.

“We’re making practical, common-sense improvements to the driver licensing system to ensure it is accessible, efficient, and affordable, while keeping road safety front and centre.”

Minister Chris Bishop and Louise Upston announce an overhaul of the driver licence system. Screengrab

Bishop said the shake-up was the first major change to the system since 2011, when the learner licence age was increased from 15 to 16. The changes were informed by public consultation last year.

He said the proposal was refined to “ensure the system strikes the right balance between access and safety.”

Those tweaks included extending the learner period, extending the restricted period by six months for drivers who get demerit points rather than resetting it entirely, and keeping the existing demerit threshold for licence suspension for restricted drivers.

Key changes

  • No more full licence test: Drivers will no longer need to sit a second practical test to move from the restricted to full licence, saving time and money. This applies to Class 1 (car) licences only.
  • Longer time spent on learners for under 25s: There will be a 12-month learner period for under 25s, an increase of six months.
  • Option to reduce learner period: There will be an option for under 25s to reduce their 12-month learner period back to six months by recording practice hours or completing an approved practical course.
  • New restricted periods: The restricted period will be 12 months for under 25s and six months for over 25s, with no option to reduce it with a defensive driving course.
  • Cheaper to get a full licence: The total cost of getting a Class 1 (car) licence will reduce by $80 under the new system.
  • Encouraging safe driving: Drivers on their restricted licence will face a further six months on their restricted if they get demerits.
  • Fewer eyesight screenings: Eyesight screenings will only be required at the first licence application and at each renewal. This applies to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
  • Zero-alcohol rule expanded: All learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, will be subject to a zero-alcohol limit.
  • Stronger oversight of training providers: NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will gain new powers to monitor and suspend driver training course providers.

There are no changes to licence processes and requirements for overseas drivers or seniors drivers.

NZTA will review the existing learner and restricted tests.

People must continue to adhere to the current system until the new system takes effect from 25 January 2027. The expanded zero-alcohol limit will be implemented separately.

A review will be undertaken by the Ministry of Transport after three years to assess the impact of the changes on road safety, employment and economic outcomes.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/driver-licence-system-overhaul-unveiled/

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Changes to the driver licensing system announced

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is updating New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) to make it cheaper and easier for young people to get their driver’s licence, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“These will be the first major changes to the driver licensing system since 2011, when the learner licence age was increased from 15 to 16,” Mr Bishop says.

“Driver licences are essential for helping people access jobs, education, and healthcare. For many young Kiwis, gaining a licence is a rite of passage, but the current system is expensive, outdated and no longer works as well as it should.

“Internationally, New Zealand is an outlier in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from a restricted licence to a full licence.

“We’re making practical, common-sense improvements to the driver licensing system to ensure it is accessible, efficient, and affordable, while keeping road safety front and centre.”

Key changes:

  • No more full licence test: Drivers will no longer need to sit a second practical test to move from the restricted to full licence, saving time and money.
  • Longer time spent on learners for under 25s: There will be a 12-month learner period for under 25s, an increase of 6 months. 
  • Option to reduce learner period: There will be an option for under 25s to reduce their 12-month learner period back to six months by recording practice hours or completing an approved practical course.
  • New restricted periods: the restricted period will be 12 months for under 25s and six months for over 25s, with no option to reduce it with a defensive driving course.
  • Cheaper to get a full licence: The total cost of getting a Class 1 (car) licence will reduce by $80 under the new system.
  • Encouraging safe driving: Drivers on their restricted licence will face a further six months on their restricted if they get demerits.
  • Fewer eyesight screenings: Eyesight screenings will only be required at the first licence application and at each renewal.
  • Zero-alcohol rule expanded: All learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, will be subject to a zero-alcohol limit.
  • Stronger oversight of training providers: NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will gain new powers to monitor and suspend driver training course providers.
  • The removal of the full licence test will apply to Class 1 (car) licences only.
  • Changes to eyesight screenings apply to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
  • NZTA will review the existing learner and restricted tests to ensure they are fit for purpose. The hazard perception part of the current full licence test will be moved to the restricted licence test.
  • There are no changes to licence processes and requirements for overseas drivers or senior drivers.
  • The Ministry of Transport will undertake a review three years after implementation to assess the impact of the changes on road safety, employment and economic outcomes.
  • Most changes will take effect from 25 January 2027. The expanded zero-alcohol limit will be progressed separately.
  • More information is on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/car-licence-changes

“Taken together, the changes will make it significantly cheaper to get a full driver licence,” Mr Bishop says.

“Under the current system, the total cost of getting a Class 1 car licence is $362.50. Under the new system, the total cost will be $282.50, a saving of $80.

“Removing the second practical test reduces costs and makes it easier to progress to a full licence, provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted licence. Changes to the learner and restricted periods will support young drivers to gain more experience early on, without extending the overall time they spend in the system.

“These changes were informed by public consultation in 2025 and refined to ensure the system strikes the right balance between access and safety.

“Over 4,100 submissions were received during that consultation, showing overall support for the proposed changes,” Mr Bishop says.

“The Government carefully considered the feedback from submitters and agreed to a number of refinements to the original proposals, including extending the learner period, extending the restricted period by six months for drivers who get demerit points rather than resetting it entirely, and keeping the existing demerit threshold for licence suspension for restricted drivers.

“These changes strike the right balance between cost, efficiency, and road safety. Drivers are still expected to prove they can drive safely and responsibly, including maintaining a clean demerit record, before progressing to a full licence.

“The new system will take effect from 25 January 2027. Until then, people will continue to follow the current licensing requirements.

“Our young people and new drivers deserve a licensing system that is fair, accessible, and keeps them and others safe on the road.”

Notes to the editor:

  • The removal of the full licence test will apply to Class 1 (car) licences only.
  • Changes to eyesight screenings apply to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
  • NZTA will review the existing learner and restricted tests to ensure they are fit for purpose. The hazard perception part of the current full licence test will be moved to the restricted licence test.
  • There are no changes to licence processes and requirements for overseas drivers or senior drivers.
  • The Ministry of Transport will undertake a review three years after implementation to assess the impact of the changes on road safety, employment and economic outcomes.
  • Most changes will take effect from 25 January 2027. The expanded zero-alcohol limit will be progressed separately.
  • More information is on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/car-licence-changes

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/changes-to-the-driver-licensing-system-announced/

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Woman charged over central Auckland assault

Source: New Zealand Police

A woman failed to outrun accountability and will appear in court over an alleged assault on a bus driver in central Auckland.

On Monday night, Auckland Central Police responded to an assault on a bus driver on Queen Street.

“At about 9.40pm, the driver passed a woman reportedly acting unusually towards the driver while she was on her route,” Area Commander Inspector Grae Anderson says.

“This woman was refused entry but has managed to chase the bus and force her way aboard.”

Once aboard, the driver was allegedly assaulted by this woman.

Inspector Anderson says the woman exited the bus and Police were contacted, with an ambulance attending for the victim.

“Units arriving on scene noticed a woman matching the description of the offender standing by Vulcan Lane,” he says.

“On seeing our staff, she ran off but was quickly chased down and arrested.”

The 20-year-old woman has been charged with injuring with intent to injure and will appear in the Auckland District Court today.

“Being subjected to violence in your workplace is unacceptable and we will continue to hold offenders accountable,” Inspector Anderson says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/woman-charged-over-central-auckland-assault/