Category: Natural Disasters

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$3.5m boost to restore fire-damaged Tongariro

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is investing $3.5 million in the restoration of 3000-plus hectares of Tongariro National Park destroyed by two major fires last year, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

“Tongariro is a Dual World Heritage site, a taonga, and a cornerstone of the Ruapehu District economy. The fires have damaged biodiversity, disrupted recreation, and affected the livelihoods of families and businesses across Ruapehu District,” Mr Potaka says.

“That is why we are investing $3.5m from the International Visitor Levy (IVL) over five years to fund weed control, pest management and biodiversity monitoring. 

“The IVL ensures visitor revenue goes back into maintaining and improving the places that support local jobs, businesses and communities.”

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is working alongside DOC to deliver Maunga Ora, a restoration plan based on science, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.

“Recovery is already visible, with native plants pushing through the charred ground. But without sustained weed control and pest management, including managing deer, that regeneration will be at risk,” Mr Potaka says.

“I want to acknowledge the commitment of Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, DOC staff and the wider Ruapehu community who have been working on the ground since the fires. Their partnership is critical to restoring the mauri of this sacred landscape.

“The investment restores ecological resilience while backing the regional economy and people who depend on it.

“Tongariro is our taonga and restoring its mauri is essential. That’s why the Government is working to secure its long-term future.”
 

Note to editors: 

Photos attached can be published. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/3-5m-boost-to-restore-fire-damaged-tongariro/

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What you need to know ahead of sixth NZ A-League derby

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer and Auckland FC’s Lachlan Brook scored for their sides the last time they met in the A-League in December. Photosport

Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC

Kick-off: 5pm Saturday February 21

Sky Stadium, Wellington

Live blog updates on RNZ

A one-sided rivalry is still a rivalry.

That is the opinion of the Auckland FC players and coach ahead of the sixth New Zealand A-League derby between the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland.

Auckland have won all five previous derby matches, including the two games this season.

In December Auckland won 3-1 at home and a month earlier Auckland had won 2-1 in Wellington.

Across all derbies there is an average of 3.8 goals a game and only one clean sheet in the first game played back in November 2024.

Injuries and unavailability have hit both teams and prevented two of the competition’s leading goal-scorers going head-to-head on Saturday.

One of the Phoenix’s key signings Sarpreet Singh will not play in his first derby after his return to the A-League club was cut short after picking up a long-term injury in his first game back in seven years.

Despite Singh’s absence there are still All Whites in both sides hoping to get on the plane to the Football World Cup in June and to use the match-ups against their national team team mates to impress All Whites coach Darren Bazeley.

Form

Auckland are sitting in second on the A-League ladder coming off a 1-all draw to Sydney FC on Tuesday night.

The Black Knights are trying to move on from a start to the calendar year which included three losses, two draws and a win in January.

The Phoenix are 10th following a 2-all draw with Central Coast Mariners in the last round.

Last month Wellington had two wins, two draws and a loss.

By the numbers

Across the season the Phoenix have lost more times than they have won at home this season – three wins, four losses.

Whereas Auckland have won more times on the road than they have lost – four wins, two losses.

In derby games, the Phoenix have scored four goals compared to Auckland’s 15.

This season Phoenix have had 11 different goal-scorers, while Auckland have had six different players find the back of the net.

The Phoenix are ranked the most accurate team in the league when it comes to shooting, with 91 of 160 shots on target. Auckland sit in fourth in this statistic with 97 of 210 shots on target.

Auckland can be vulnerable at set pieces with five goals conceded including three from corners. Wellington have conceded three goals from set pieces.

Squads

Sam Cosgrove will miss the derby. photosport

Auckland FC will be without striker Sam Cosgrove who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, which requires him to miss a match.

Marlee Francois has bone bruising following Tuesday’s game and is in doubt to play.

Auckland FC squad: Michael Woud, Hiroki Sakai, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Nando Pijnaker, Louis Verstraete, Cam Howieson, Felipe Gallegos, Sam Cosgrove, Guillermo May, Marlee Francois, Jimmy Hilton, Francis De Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Jake Brimmer, Dan Hall, Logan Rogerson, Jonty Bidois, Lachlan Brook, Bailey Ferguson

Sarpreet Singh will miss the derby after getting injured in his first appearance for the Phoenix in seven years. www.photosport.nz

All Whites attacking midfielder Singh will be sidelined for up eight weeks after getting a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in his left knee in the last round. Fullback Tim Payne has also been ruled out of the derby with a hamstring injury.

Wellington Phoenix squad: Joshua Oluwayemi, Alby Kelly-Heald, Eamonn McCarron, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Isaac Hughes, Matthew Sheridan, Bill Tuiloma, Manjrekar James, Jayden Smith, Dan Edwards, Tim Payne, Tze-Xuan Loke, Alex Rufer, Paulo Retre, Anaru Cassidy, Fin Roa Conchie, Kazuki Nagasawa, Carlo Armiento, Sarpreet Singh, Sander Kartum, Luke Brooke-Smith, Ramy Najjarine, Nathan Walker, Nikola Mileusnic, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Ifeanyi Eze, Corban Piper, Luke Supyk

What they said

Nando Pijnaker. Photosport

All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker said Auckland’s dominance put a bit of a burden the players.

“I’ve never really been a part of something like this where we’ve won so many times in a row so it’s interesting. Every game that goes by that we win I guess puts a little bit more pressure on you because you want to keep winning and you want to make this the normality which I don’t think it is, but we’re really confident.”

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica said despite winning five out of five it was still a rivalry with the Phoenix.

“We don’t want to get carried away with that, we want to continue winning obviously we want to make it six from six in the first two years but we know it’s going to be a tough game. I think they’re playing some good football we’re going to have to be on our game definitely need to perform well, we need three points as badly as they do.”

Bill Tuiloma and Paulo Retre of Wellington Phoenix. www.photosport.nz

Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano said he felt good heading into the derby despite the record.

“I must have smashed a couple of mirrors somewhere because the amount of bad luck we’ve had over the last couple of seasons, especially in the derbies, we haven’t had things go for us but I feel like we’re due for one.”

Another All Whites defender Bill Tuiloma will play in his first New Zealand derby after joining the Phoenix at the start of the year and said there was a “determination” to get the first win over Auckland.

“I’m just fired up and I’m excited… you could see it that I’m playing against my home team from where I’m from but I’m very excited, the whole team’s pumped for it.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/what-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-sixth-nz-a-league-derby/

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Ship upgrade to improve coastal resilience in disasters

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand’s ability to support communities following natural disasters and other major emergencies will be improved by an investment into a key coastal bulk ship upgrade, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.

The Rangitata, which was vital in delivering disaster relief after Cyclone Gabrielle, will receive $3 million from the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund to improve its ability to carry different types of cargo across a wider range of ports.

“The ship was a major asset for Gisborne and Napier, carrying containers between the two when major road links were washed out. This summer’s tragic storms have again underscored how important this infrastructure is,” Mr Meager says.

“When land routes fail, coastal shipping becomes critical for making sure fuel, building materials and other vital supplies can still get to those in need.”

The investment will fund a material handler for the ship, a piece of deck-mounted machinery that can load and unload bulk cargo, to be operational by the end of 2026.

“This will mean the Rangitata can transport a wider range of bulk items and operate without relying on port-side cranes and infrastructure, facilities which may not be usable after a significant event,” Mr Meager says.

“The ship can access smaller ports which are particularly vulnerable during natural disasters, including those where road and rail connections can be cut-off for long periods. It can deliver bulk supplies directly to communities which may have been isolated for days.

“Another key advantage is the material handler is powered directly from the ship, rather than from land, so it remains available wherever the vessel is deployed.

“We are a Government dedicated to fixing the basics, delivering results, and building the future. That’s exactly what this investment does. It will strengthen our country’s resilience and improve our ability to bounce back from devastating natural events.”
 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/ship-upgrade-to-improve-coastal-resilience-in-disasters/

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Firefighters tackle blaze at Auckland’s Northcote College

Source: Radio New Zealand

Facebook / Northcote College

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at Auckland’s Northcote College.

Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to the school about 12.15pm on Friday.

A crew from Silverdale is in attendance and more crews are on their way to the scene.

Smoke can be seen from the Harbour Bridge.

On social media, a school spokesperson said: “There is an active fire at Northcote College in the sports pavilion. The fire service is here.

“All students have been evacuated to the other end of the school and are safe.

“We are waiting for further direction from the fire service and will update you as we can.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/firefighters-tackle-blaze-at-aucklands-northcote-college/

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The llamas keeping sheep safe at Auckland’s Ambury farm

Source: Radio New Zealand

On a sunny weekday at lunchtime, Ken, Drick, and Lamar are working hard.

Grazing on grass, and occasionally lifting their heads to check the surroundings.

But don’t be fooled by their languid behaviour – they’re actually top notch security guards.

Park ranger Millie Law has been looking after the llamas.

Ke-Xin Li

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/the-llamas-keeping-sheep-safe-at-aucklands-ambury-farm/

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Wellington resident horrified after raw sewage ‘exploded’ from his toilet

Source: Radio New Zealand

The resident lives near Moa Point in Wellington. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

This story contains photos of the sewage-affected bathroom which may upset some readers.

A Wellington resident living near Moa Point says sewage “exploded” out of his toilet on Thursday morning.

Ed, a Miramar resident who doesn’t want his surname used, told RNZ it happened while Wellington Water staff were working on his street.

If you’ve also been affected contact Kaya.Selby@rnz.co.nz

“I’d heard some gurgling in the pipe system, and as I opened the door to the bathroom, a little fountain of raw sewage was exploding out of our toilet, so much so it was reaching the ceiling,” he said.

“It’s covered every surface in our bathroom, just particles of raw sewage everywhere.”

He said it had rendered the bathroom unusable, and the smell made it difficult to be in his home.

“Particles of poop everywhere… it’s soaked into the towels, it’s on everything on the walls, our toilet itself is in a state.”

The Mirarmar bathroom soon after the sewage incident. Supplied

“I feel disgusting, because the house stinks of poop. It’s given me a bit of a headache.”

Ed said that he immediately rang his neighbour and heard that the same thing had happened to them.

He said they encountered the workers on their street and saw that several other residents had been out to speak with them as well.

The workers gave Ed a phone number and a reference for a cleaning job, but he said neither number worked.

His attempts to contact the council also didn’t seem successful.

However, cleaners came to fix his place up last night.

Cleaners came in to help clean up the bathroom on Thursday evening. Supplied

Ed’s home is roughly two kilometres away from the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Wellington Water and Wellington City Council have been contacted for a response.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/wellington-resident-horrified-after-raw-sewage-exploded-from-his-toilet/

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Update – Cannons Creek assault

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:

Police investigating an assault in Cannons Creek this morning are seeking information from the public to assist our investigation.

Just before 7:40am, Police were called to Dido Place after reports of a firearm being discharged.

One person sustained moderate injuries, they are now stable in hospital.

Residents can expect to see an ongoing Police presence as our investigations progress.

There is not believed to be any risk to the wider public following this incident.

Police would like to hear from anybody who witnessed the incident, as well as those who were in and around Dido Place and the surrounding areas at the time of the incident.

Information can be provided to Police via 105 either over the phone or online, quoting the reference number 260220/7899.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/update-cannons-creek-assault/

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Fire Safety – Central Otago moving to a Prohibited Fire Season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a Prohibited Fire Season in Central Otago beginning at 8am this Saturday, 21 February, banning all outdoor fires until further notice.
District Manager Craig Gold says the ban may come as a surprise to many because of a slow start to summer and Central Otago not experiencing its usual long hot summer days.
“However, it’s been quite deceptive. Our grasslands are now very dry, and the fire risk has been slowly but steadily increasing – notably in Cromwell, Lauder, Clyde and Butchers Dam.
“We have reached the threshold where we need to declare a Prohibited Fire Season,” Craig Gold says.
“While several large, permitted burns have been successfully carried out over the last couple of months, it’s no longer safe to do so, and we appreciate the support of the farming community, in particular, in recognising that,” he says.
Central Otago is predominantly a grassland area with a lot of fuel for potentially disastrous fires that would be extremely difficult to control.
“We want people to be very vigilant,” Craig Gold says.
“A ban on all outdoor fires will reduce the number of callouts and allow Fire and Emergency crews to manage other fires that may occur.”
Anyone wanting to know if they are in the fire ban area, or just not sure, can input their address into Fire and Emergency’s www.checkitsalright website for specific information on their property and location.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/fire-safety-central-otago-moving-to-a-prohibited-fire-season/

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Banks Peninsula locals frustrated by flood clean-up response from authorities

Source: Radio New Zealand

Community-led cleanups are continuing in flood-damaged Banks Peninsula, but nagging frustration remains over the response from local authorities.

The peninsula was still under a state of emergency as efforts to restore access to isolated properties continued, almost 72 hours after the region was hammered by a merciless storm.

Although State Highway 75 had reopened and telecommunications restored, some properties remained cut off with multiple local roads still blocked.

The Christchurch City Council’s response teams were using helicopters to get into areas inaccessible by road.

A total of seven local roads remained shut with another eight roads restricted to residents and emergency services.

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Helicopters could be regularly seen and heard over Okuti Valley on Thursday.

Meanwhile, business owners previously cut off were getting on with the recovery, helped by overdue sunshine and 28 degree temperatures.

Little River Campground owner Marcus Puentener said this week’s flooding was the worst he had seen in 30 years.

Two days earlier he awoke to the nearby Okuti River pouring through the campground, washing away an on-site bridge and leaving a trail of debris.

Puentener said a task-force of volunteers would help with the clean up in the coming days.

Little River Campground owner Marcus Puentener. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

“We’ve got our services up and running again. We’ve got toilets, showers and kitchen area all usable, so we are open,” he said.

“However the drive into the camp is a bit rough. We’re mainly looking at ground works at the moment, clearing the river, putting shingle down on the drive to make it a little bit safer for people to drive in.”

Assistance with the clean up was needed with the campground on Okuti Valley Road due to host multiple events, including a wedding in two weeks.

Although community support for affected property owners remained a prominent feature, the response from authorities had room for improvement, Puentener said.

Damage in Little River. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

“People have got water, people have got food, that’s the main thing. But people are trapped in their properties,” he said.

“This is where it gets slightly frustrating. We’ve had a lot of clip boards and not many foot soldiers on the ground. The clipboard-to-digger ratio is all wrong.”

The resilience of Okuti Valley locals had been bolstered by a community-led emergency radio network to communicate during emergencies when power, internet and cell coverage was down.

Okuki Valley Rd resident Rennie Davidson said the nearby community hall stored essential supplies, including a generator, batteries, gas canisters, a cooker and first aid kits.

Rennie Davidson. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

“Some of the older people in the community find the ability to communicate really reassuring, that we are working as a community and we are,” he said.

“We’ve just been organising water for someone’s toilet that can’t flush. There’s a whole heap of stuff that we can do which doesn’t cost a lot of money, but supports people that otherwise might be struggling.”

The network was self-organised into eight “clusters”, arranged by location.

The community was still largely reliant upon Civil Defence during significant weather events, Davidson said.

Dave Harvey, who lived on State Highway 75 in Coopland east of Little River, admitted he was one of “the lucky ones”.

Apart from a snapped tree that protruded over his next door’s neighbours section, he mostly evaded the brunt of the deluge.

“We had a bit of inundation in the shed. Other than that this whole valley survived pretty well. Obviously I’m devastated for the neighbours further down the river who have been gravely impacted.”

Council local controller Anne Columbus said roading crews had been prioritising known communities to restore roading access to those affected.

“With the reinstatement of communication channels on the Peninsula [on Thursday], we are now starting to form a clearer picture about the damage to properties and infrastructure,” she said.

“The assessment of damage will continue over the next few days as our ground crews gain access to affected areas.”

Two rubbish skips had arrived in Little River, which residents could use to dispose any flood-damaged waste.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/banks-peninsula-locals-frustrated-by-flood-clean-up-response-from-authorities/

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Emergency services at scene of reported chemical leak at Alliance Group’s Levin plant

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters are at the scene. (File photo) RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The number of patients being treated at an industrial site in Levin has risen to 22.

Hato Hone St John ambulance, police and Fire and Emergency were called to Hamaria Road at around 6:30pm, after a chemical incident.

Firefighters set up decontamination gear at Alliance Group’s meat processing plant after reports of a gas leak.

Five ambulances, three rapid response units, two operations managers and a St John Major Incident Support Team were called to the scene.

A fire crew from Otaki has also been called in to help Levin firefighters and a specialist fire unit arrived from Palmerston North.

A spokesperson for Alliance Group confirmed processing at the plant had suspended after a chemical incident at the site led to a “gas reaction”.

St John says while it’s not yet know whether any of the patients is badly injured, no one has been taken to hospital yet and no further ambulances have been requested.

Police have cordoned off the area.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/emergency-services-at-scene-of-reported-chemical-leak-at-alliance-groups-levin-plant/

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Government ‘listened to Aucklanders’ by weakening housing intensification rules, Character Coalition says

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government agreeing to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland shows they have been listening to Aucklanders, a heritage group says.

Cabinet agreed to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland from 2 million to at least 1.6 million, it was announced on Thursday.

Auckland Council had been progressing a new plan to accommodate up to 2 million homes in the coming decades.

The council opted out of medium-density rules that apply to most major cities on the proviso it set up zoning for 30 years of growth.

The council’s Plan Change 120 set out the process for doing this, but the government had since come under pressure from proponents of heritage homes who raised concerns about further intensification in character areas that were already seeing major development.

Devonport Historic Society chairperson Margot McRae said the decision was the best-case scenario for them. 123RF

John Burns from the Character Coalition said two million zoned sites was always an unrealistic and unnecessary target.

“We’re also pleased it will leave it to the council to decide which areas are going to be removed from intensification. We do hope the council will consult with communities this time round before making any decisions.”

He was still concerned about character housing in Mount Eden and Kingsland after the minister said the council should prioritise intensification near the city’s rail network.

“We agree growth around stations generally is a good thing, but there’s plenty of zoned land around Maungawhau, Kingsland, and Morningside stations, and we say there’s no need to destroy these few surviving reminders of our heritage.”

Devonport Historic Society chairperson Margot McRae said the decision was the best-case scenario for them.

“Very relieved that finally common sense has prevailed. Chris Bishop and this ridiculous Plan Change 120, it was always just completely wrong-headed.”

She said the government had pushed Plan Change 120 onto the council and Aucklanders.

“Auckland Council has professional planners, and they’ve always said that Plan Change 120 was terrible. It was not the plan they would’ve written, it was imposed on them by central government.”

“Now they’re backtracking, thankfully, but what a waste of money, resources, time, and anguish that people all around Auckland have put into this. Thousands of people have submitted, and now they’ll have to re-submit. It has been a disaster and proves central government should not get involved in local city planning matters.”

Roughly 10,000 submissions were made on the proposal by organisations and members of the public.

McRae said many people’s opposition to Plan Change 120 was not just about protecting heritage buildings, but building more houses in places Aucklanders actually wanted them.

“The council will now have the right to decide which areas will be intensified, and we all know there are areas that can be intensified and they will be, and lots of areas in Howick, Belmont, and Milford, all of these places were going to be possibly ruined by high-rise buildings.

“It’s not just people wanting to protect the old houses. It would’ve affected every part of Auckland.”

Council would ‘stick with the two million and carry on’ – mayor says

Wayne Brown at the housing intensification announcement. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown fired a warning shot after the announcement that he would not be dictated by Cabinet.

Act leader David Seymour said the reduced number is a decision in principle and still needed legislation passed.

“The government will now await Auckland Council producing a summary of how the zones will change before legislating,” Seymour said.

But Brown suggested otherwise.

“We’re not doing this in order to go to the government and to the Cabinet and ask for their approval,” he said.

“I mean, the Cabinet mostly don’t even live in Auckland, so that’s not going to happen.”

The council would “stick with the two million and carry on” if it had to do that, he said.

On the whittling down from two million homes, Brown said people were focused on the wrong thing.

“And that was, we weren’t going to have two million houses, and it was just a concept that was beyond the thinking of most people.

“If it calms down some worried elderly residents in Epsom, then that’s done its job.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/government-listened-to-aucklanders-by-weakening-housing-intensification-rules-character-coalition-says/

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Environment comes last as Government abolishes dedicated ministry

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is condemning the Government’s decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment.

“This is failure by a Minister who has turned her back on the very portfolio she was entrusted to protect. Abolishing her own ministry is as monumental as it is shameful,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham. 

“The Ministry for the Environment exists because in 1986 New Zealanders decided that protecting our natural world needed a dedicated voice at the heart of government. 

“Burying the Ministry for the Environment inside a super-ministry designed to drive growth and infrastructure sends a clear signal that the environment comes last for this Government. 

“This is a Minister who claimed the balance had swung ‘too far’ towards the environment, even as her own ministry’s reporting showed air pollution, freshwater pollution, ocean pollution, and biodiversity loss all getting worse. 

“At a time when climate change is flooding our communities week after week, costing billions of dollars, lives, and livelihoods, this Government’s response is to dismantle the ministry responsible for environmental protection. 

“Abolishing the Ministry to streamline consent processes for roads and mining tells you exactly what this Government values more. It is economic growth at any cost. 

“Adding an ‘E’ to a new super-ministry and expecting New Zealanders to believe the environment will be looked after is fooling no one. New Zealanders deserve so much better,” said Pham.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/environment-comes-last-as-government-abolishes-dedicated-ministry/

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Update – serious incident, Northcote

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves:

Police are following strong lines of enquiry after four people were injured at a Hoani Street address last night.

Emergency services were called to the property about 9.30pm after a report of an altercation between two parties.

Four people were injured, two of whom remain in hospital.

Police staff continue to examine the scene to gather information about the incident and those involved.

Our initial enquiries have confirmed that a firearm was discharged at the scene.

We have also established that this was a gang-related incident and was targeted towards parties at this address.

We understand that incidents like this can be unsettling for the community, and would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is a risk to the wider public.

Residents can expect to see additional patrols in the area as we carry out our enquiries.

We would still like to hear from anyone who might have information about this incident or those believed to be involved.

If you can help, please call 105 and reference 260218/3391.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/update-serious-incident-northcote/

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More flexibility for Auckland housing plan

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 from just over 2 million homes to 1.6 million homes, says Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop.

“Housing growth in Auckland is critical to fixing our housing crisis, driving growth and raising living standards, the central mission of this Government,” Mr Bishop says.

“The changes I’m announcing today will make sure Auckland grows in the areas that make the most economic sense and where there is strong support for growth – the city centre, around stations benefiting from investment in the City Rail Link, around rapid transit stops, and in and around town, local and metropolitan centres.

“Aucklanders have been clear that they want housing growth – in the right places and where infrastructure can support it. Today’s changes show the Government has listened to Aucklanders.

“The Auckland Unitary Plan allows development capacity of around 1.2 million homes, while Plan Change 120 currently allows capacity of around 2 million homes. The Government’s changes, to be made via legislation in the near future, reduce the minimum capacity required to the mid-point between 1.2 and 2 million.

“The journey of how we got to this point is a long and complicated one. 

“When the coalition Government came to office, Auckland Council asked the Government to let them withdraw Plan Change 78, which implemented the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) across Auckland. The Council also wished to “downzone” various areas affected by flooding risk.

“The Government campaigned on allowing the Council to withdraw from using the MDRS, and so the law was changed in 2025 to allow the Council to develop a new plan (Plan Change 120). As part of allowing the Council to do that, the government required the new plan to allow large uplifts in development around stations benefitting from investment in the City Rail Link, and provide at least the equivalent amount of capacity as Plan Change 78 (around 2 million homes).

“The 2 million number was never a build target. It is technical capacity figure based on theoretical maximum development if every site is fully developed, which obviously never happens.

“It is clear from listening to Aucklanders that the legislative requirements on the Council meant they had very little room to respond to concerns raised through more than 10,000 submissions on Plan Change 120.

“Today’s announcement gives the Council much more flexibility about where density goes in Auckland. The Council will still be required to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development, including enabling greater development around rapid transit stations and the City Rail Link, but after meeting those requirements, they have real flexibility.

“In practical terms, this is likely to mean less blanket intensification in some suburbs and more growth focused around the city centre, town, local and metropolitan centres, as well as rapid transit and stations benefiting from investment in the City Rail Link.

What this means for Aucklanders

Legislation will be introduced and progressed quickly to minimise disruption to the existing process.

“Plan Change 120 has already received more than 10,000 submissions. Those submissions remain valid,” Mr Bishop says.

“Once the new capacity requirement is in place, Auckland Council will decide which parts of the plan change to withdraw or amend.

“If parts are withdrawn, the existing Auckland Unitary Plan zoning will remain in place.

“For parts that continue, updated provisions and maps will be provided to the hearings panel, and Aucklanders will have further opportunities to provide feedback.

“This process will be transparent and Aucklanders will be able to have their say.

I have also initiated an investigation into Auckland Unitary Plan provisions affecting the city centre.

“Auckland’s CBD is the economic heart of New Zealand. While previous reforms increased capacity there, we know there is still significant unrealised potential.

“If planning controls are unnecessarily constraining housing and business development in the city centre, I am prepared to act, using the same powers I used recently to change the Auckland Unitary Plan relating to Eden Park concert restrictions. Any additional housing enabled there will count toward the requirement to enable at least 1.6 million homes.

The legislation will also resolve a transitional issue affecting approximately 400 developers and property owners who were relying on the Medium Density Residential Standards when an earlier plan change was withdrawn in 2025.

“Auckland is New Zealand’s economic capital. We are not backing away from growth,” Mr Bishop says.

“We are ensuring growth happens in the right places, in a way that Aucklanders can support.

“We can increase housing supply, protect the liveability of our suburbs, and strengthen the city centre at the same time. This change allows us to do all three. It’s all part of our drive to fix the basics and build New Zealand’s future.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/more-flexibility-for-auckland-housing-plan/

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Manhunt after clash between rival gang members leaves four people hurt, one critical in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police were at the scene on Hoani St in Christchurch’s Northcote. SAM SHERWOOD / RNZ

An incident that left four people injured, one critically, in Christchurch is believed to involve rival gangs Black Power and Mongrel Mob, RNZ understands.

Emergency services were called to an address on Hoani Street in Northcote about 9.30pm on Wednesday.

One person has life-threatening injuries, and another was seriously hurt.

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

The two others had minor or moderate injuries, police said.

RNZ understands the incident is believed to involve members of rival gangs Black Power and Mongrel Mob.

An RNZ reporter at the scene last night was told by police that there had been reports of shots being fired.

When asked whether the incident involved firearms, Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said: ” This forms part of police enquiries.”

“The community can be assured that police are working at speed to identify and locate those involved.

“Police believe the parties involved are known to each other and the risk to wider public is minimal.”

Hill said there would be more officers in the Northcote area today “as we work to resolve this incident as swiftly as possible”.

A scene examination is underway at the property.

Police are appealing to anyone in the area who may have witnessed anything last night to contact them. They can be contacted on 105 using file number 260218/3391.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/manhunt-after-clash-between-rival-gang-members-leaves-four-people-hurt-one-critical-in-christchurch/

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Sales plummet for business near Moa Point sewage spill

Source: Radio New Zealand

Vicky Shen says she will have to reduce staff hours to stay afloat after a nearly 70 percent drop in her business. Bill Hickman / RNZ

Businesses on Wellington’s South Coast are doing it tough since the failure of the Moa Point wastewater plant forced the closure of some of the capital’s most popular beaches.

An association of local businesses, Destination KRL, said hospitality and other water-dependent employers had lost – on average – more than half their customers in the last two weeks.

They have called for support from Wellington City Council.

Worst timing possible

On a warm, still summer evening at Wellington’s Lyall Bay, the usually bustling beach is deserted.

Co-owner of nearby Botanist cafe Maria Boyle said the sunny weather – especially following a storm in the capital – would usually see her cafe packed with customers.

“With this weather everybody gets out, they’re excited, the weather’s nice. We would be completely full right now and we’ve got, maybe, a quarter of the amount of tables we’d normally have.”

Maria Boyle of the Botanist cafe her daytime customers have halved since the plant failed. Bill Hickman / RNZ

She said daytime customers had nearly halved since the plant failed.

Boyle said – for her business – the closure of the beaches could not have come at a worse time.

“We essentially rely on this busy summer trade to get us through winter. Last winter was the worst winter we’ve ever had. For this to happen – after the last two years of terrible hospitality – it’s a disaster.”

Further down the beach, local fish and chip shop Seaview Takeaways had been feeding beachgoers for nearly 34 years. Owner Vicky Shen said in the last two weeks they had lost nearly 70 percent of their business.

She had planned to cut staff hours to stay afloat.

“I have to deal with it. So I will cut down some hours of my labour. I will do it myself. So I will work longer myself – so that’s very difficult – but otherwise I can’t afford it.”

Surfboard maker Jack Candlish of Verdure Surf builds his boards within sight of the city’s most popular surf break – right next to Wellington Airport and Moa Point.

Surfboard builder Jack Candlish says he’s considering relocating if the closure of the beaches “drags on”. Bill Hickman / RNZ

He usually sold just over a third of his boards to locals, but said he had not received a single local inquiry since news of the contamination of the surf spot broke.

“If it drags on much longer we’ll probably look at relocating. It’s something that we’ve already thought about doing but this has been a bit of a kick to, kind of, fast-track that process.

“We might as well be in Palmerston North as far as I’m concerned, when the beach isn’t even accessible.”

Another massive mountain to climb

Steve Walters of Destination KRL said he had heard from about 30 businesses in the area reporting dramatic losses over the last fortnight.

He said people in the beachside suburb paid some of the highest rates in the country, and if a solution could not be put in place quickly the council should step in to help.

“We’ve got government workers being reduced in this town and people being pretty tight with their money. Now on top of that a combination of entities have failed in providing a service which these businesses have paid for, so they’re feeling ‘we’ve just suddenly got another massive mountain to climb’ and they need support to get over that.”

A spokesperson for Wellington City Council said they had been in touch with business leaders in the area and were looking at how best to support affected businesses. But the council could not provide details of any plans at this stage.

“We appreciate the Moa Point plant failure will be having an impact on the South Coast, in particular some of the businesses in Lyall Bay,” a spokesperson said.

“We want to encourage Wellingtonians to get down to Lyall Bay, especially on a good day, and pay the cafes and other businesses a visit and spend some money.”

Wellington Water said it could be months before the plant was back in operation.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/sales-plummet-for-business-near-moa-point-sewage-spill/

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Messy neighbours, planes overhead: What drops the value of your house?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Property experts say there are a few things that can happen to influence a property’s value – some within the owner’s control and some not. RNZ

House prices aren’t moving much in many parts of the country – but what could cause the value of your place to drop?

Property experts say there are a few things that can happen to influence a property’s value – some within the owner’s control and some not.

Messy neighbours

Property economist Ed McKnight said having neighbours who did not look after their house could be a problem.

“If your neighbour’s property looks like a mess – overgrown lawns, rubbish piling up, cars on the front lawn – that could make it harder to get a premium price for your property. It’s hard to quantify this in data.

“But buyers tend to pay premium prices for the dream home. If next door makes it seem more like a nightmare, then the price premium will fall.”

More neighbours

There has been a townhouse boom around parts of Auckland but work in neighbouring sections can make your house less valuable – at least in the short term.

McKnight said he visited a house in Ōrākei, Auckland, where the owner was grappling with this.

“Just as this owner was trying to sell, the neighbour was bulldozing their house and knocking up a five-storey apartment building. It was hard to get someone to pay a premium price for a property when there’s going to be noise and disturbance next door for the following three years.

“The tricky part is that most of this is outside your control. You can have the best-maintained property on the street, but if next door is a disaster, you’re wearing some of that cost.”

Property economist Ed McKnight. Supplied / Ed McKnight

Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said many people valued privacy and having sunlight.

“Putting townhouses up next door potentially reduces that. But I think it’s just the world we’re in at the moment, the government is pushing hard on intensification, infill housing.”

But Vanessa Williams, a spokesperson for Realestate.co.nz, said in an area with a lot of finished townhouses, having a place with a garden and garage could be worth more.

Flooding

Recent weather events have drawn more attention to potential flooding, and properties that could be in a flood zone.

About 20 percent of Auckland buildings are in areas that are prone to floods and it was reported last year that new homes are still being built in flood zones.

Williams said it was something that many buyers should research before they bought a house. A property in a risky area could have a lower value. Some owners might not realise they were affected until they went to sell.

Power pylons

McKnight earlier said a house that was less than 250 metres from a power line could be worth up to 20 percent less than the same property not near the lines.

“The further away you are the less impact. Once you get over 250m away, there was no discernible difference.”

But he said if they were blocking an otherwise nice view, that could cut a property’s price by 27 percent.

McKnight said lamppost cell towers and simple monopole towers made no impact. But armed monopoles could add about a 10 percent discount for houses very close to them.

Flight paths

Davidson said anywhere that had planes flying closely overhead at regular intervals could face challenges.

But an Airways and Auckland Airport report in 2018 said a new flight path over parts of Auckland did not impact property prices, media reported at the time.

An earlier study in Brisbane said aircraft noise only had a minimal impact on property prices.

Davidson said homes next to correctional faciilties could also face a stigma.

A UK survey showed 36 percent of people would live by a prison but half would expect a discount in price of almost a third to do so.

Apartments near Auckland’s Mt Eden Correctional Facility are valued at about $860,000, a similar price to some a few streets away. But in areas where there is less employment, the arrival of a prison can mean more work.

Sewage ponds

Davidson said problems with sewage ponds, as seen recently in Christchurch, could devalue a property.

Offensive odours have been a problem for the city’s eastern suburbs.

Recently, locals complained that it was making them unwell and they had had to stay indoors.

But it was reported earlier this month that there had not yet been an impact on property values.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/messy-neighbours-planes-overhead-what-drops-the-value-of-your-house/

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Banks Peninsula farmers and businesses counting the cost of floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

Banks Peninsula farmers and businesses are counting the cost of devastating flooding that swamped paddocks and swept through Little River.

The peninsula remained under a state of emergency although State Highway 75 from Christchurch to Akaroa reopened on Wednesday afternoon and telecommunications were restored after widespread outages.

About 120 properties remained without power and at least 15 local roads were closed because of slips and flooding.

Kinloch farmer Tom Power said the “mental” rain caused the worst flooding he had ever seen.

Kinloch Road farm in Little River was flooded. Nathan Mckinnon

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It was predicted to be 100 millimetres or so and we ended up tipping out 430 millimetres in this catchment. It was chaos,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything through Little River like that before and even up Okuti Valley, properties up there. It’s so widespread, it’s unbelievable.”

Power was dealing with stock losses as paddocks remained under water, with troughs and fences swept away and debris strewn across the property.

“We moved a lot of stock away to traditionally high areas that we’ve never seen go under water. We spent hours doing that beforehand and we were prepared for a lot of it, it was just the severity,” he said.

Flood damage in Little River. Nathan Mckinnon

“We’re still trying to get our head around what the damage is, to be fair, until the water goes away you don’t really know.

“People’s livelihoods have been well and truly affected by this, which is a crying shame.”

In Little River, Déjà New Preloved Goods owner Lisa Ashfield had cleared mud and silt from her shop with the help of firefighters – the second time her business had flooded in 12 months.

Flood damage at Deja New in Little River. Nathan Mckinnon

“I imagine this is probably the end of the shop,” she said.

“All of my furniture, my bookshelves, my storage units, people’s home-made jewellery, toys, books, clothes, furniture. Everything is just a mudbath,” she said.

“I was flooded in May last year, about 300 millimetres, over the top of your gumboots kind of level. This flood, unfortunately, was thigh-deep. All the preparation we did on Monday, raising everything off the floor, just wasn’t high enough,” she said.

Déjà New Preloved Goods Little River owner Lisa Ashfield said she’d been flooded twice in 12 months. Nathan Mckinnon/RNZ

Ashfield was now sorting through stock to work out what to throw in a skip.

Little River Cafe & Store owner Cameron Gordon also spent the day shovelling mud and silt from the building after water gushed in on Tuesday.

He said food from the chiller had to be thrown away and fridges and freezers would need replacing but he hoped to open the store by the end of the day and the cafe by the weekend.

Little River Cafe and Store. Nathan Mckinnon

Gordon was heartened by the support of locals who were helping to clean up the mess.

“They’re pretty keen to get the shop back going and get us up and running again. We got a lot of calls, a lot of messages overnight with people offering help, a lot of tools brought down, water blasters, squeegees and brooms and random people I haven’t met before. It’s great,” he said.

Gordon said the cafe had flooded five times, most recently last May when a foot of water washed through some businesses, but he had never seen flooding so bad in his 20 years living in the settlement.

He said water in Little River drained away quickly once Lake Forsyth was opened to the sea on Tuesday afternoon.

Outside the shop on Wednesday. Nathan Mckinnon

“If it was opened before this I think we would have had a lot less damage and probably a lower level through the building,” he said.

“[The council] seem to have their rules and their guidelines about how they monitor all that but it doesn’t seem to work for us. It seems to be the same story every year, with the same excuses every year as well.”

Living Streams Community Nursery co-ordinator Nicky Steinmetz said raging floodwaters had left a layer of silt over the plants, leaving a months-long clean-up job.

“Most of our volunteers will be really upset about what they see. It’s the small seedlings that will be most impacted, rather than the bigger plants. We’ll be able to wash those down, but it’s going to take forever,” she said.

Flood damage at Little River nursery. Nathan Mckinnon

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger visited Little River on Wednesday.

Mitchell told RNZ the flooding was worse than in May 2025.

“They’re in the middle of their summer season so we’ve got to do everything we can to support them and get them back on their feet as quickly as we can,” he said.

Boil water notices remained in place for Little River and Wainui.

Mauger said the water supply in Wainui was “absolute toast”.

The clean up inside the Little River Cafe and Store. Nathan Mckinnon

The council had sent Starlink WiFi devices to Akaroa and Wainui, although Chorus found and fixed a damaged fibre cable on a bridge that restored cell tower connections on Wednesday afternoon.

Students on two school trips who were stuck at Wainui and Ōnuku Marae had returned home.

Provisional figures from Earth Sciences New Zealand showed 243 millimetres of rain was recorded at its site in Akaroa in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday morning.

That was the highest 24-hour rainfall total for Akaroa in the month of February since records began in 1977, the organisation said.

Earth Sciences said Akaroa had received 316 millimetres of rain so far this month, making it the wettest February on record.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/banks-peninsula-farmers-and-businesses-counting-the-cost-of-floods/

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Large police presence, reports of shots fired on suburban Christchurch street

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police were at the scene on Hoani St in Christchurch’s Northcote. SAM SHERWOOD / RNZ

Police have swarmed a Christchurch street after a reported home invasion where several people were injured.

A reporter on the scene at Hoani Street in Northcote said there were multiple police cars and ambulances on the road.

The reporter was told by police at the scene there had been reports of shots being fired, however this is yet to be confirmed.

RNZ understands the incident is a reported home invasion and that several people are injured.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/large-police-presence-reports-of-shots-fired-on-suburban-christchurch-street/

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Firearms seized in ongoing investigation

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have recovered a cache of weaponry as part of an ongoing investigation into a family harm event.

Counties Manukau West Police responded to Māngere address on Sunday afternoon.

“A disagreement between family members occurred, when a firearm was allegedly presented by one member,” Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey says.

“The man left the address in a vehicle along with an associate, and Police were contacted.”

Police responded to the area, locating this vehicle leaving a Kirkbride Road address.

“An armed traffic stop was carried out and the driver was taken into custody,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.

“Police have returned to the Kirkbride Road property and made an armed approach to the address and invoked a search at the property.”

Inside, Police seized a range of firearms and ammunition.

“This included a pistol, revolver, pump-action shotgun and two rifles.”

Senior Sergeant Albrey says a cross bow and an imitation pistol were also recovered.

Meanwhile, units also stopped a second vehicle in connection with the family harm incident, taking that driver into custody as well.

“Our enquiries are continuing, and we expect charges will be laid,” he says.

“It’s a good outcome for the Māngere community that these firearms are now out of circulation.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/firearms-seized-in-ongoing-investigation/