Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

• Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final.
• Fin Melville Ives is in a stable condition after a fall left him unconscious and saw him stretchered off the snow.
• The finals are set down for 7.30am Saturday 21 February (NZ time).

Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final after a tense finish to the second run at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

A tough competition saw three out of the four New Zealand athletes lose a ski in at least one of their two runs. Each competitor is ranked by their best run, with only the top 12 of 25 progressing to the final.

Harrington led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at ninth. The 24-year-old dropped to 12th place during the second run, making for a nail-biting wait while all the other athletes finished competing.

Making it to the finals was “an insane feeling”, he said.

“My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it.”

Speaking into the cameras on the slopes, Harrington dedicated his second run to teammate Fin Melville Ives, who had his own final hopes dashed after a fall saw him stretchered off the snow.

“Hey Finski, this one’s for you, brother. Love you, let’s go skiing,” Harrington said.

Melville Ives was the first competitor to drop into the halfpipe but lost a ski in both runs, putting him at 24th. He was assessed by medics following the second, more serious fall and stretchered off the snow.

Following the event, the New Zealand Olympic Team provided an update on his condition on social media, saying he was “stable and positive”.

Head coach Tom Willmott said “he took a big hit”, revealing the 19-year-old had been knocked unconscious.

“He’s in great care, our team doctor’s with him, his mum’s with him, and he’s doing okay. He was knocked out, but he’s conscious right now, he’s talking and he’s doing okay. He’s getting full checks, scans, x-rays, all the rest of it, just to fully rule anything out,” Willmott said.

“We had qualifying postponed due to the snow yesterday [Friday NZT] so today was the day, it was big Friday. He was using qualies as a warm up to the main event tonight [the finals, Saturday morning NZT] and he was all in, going real big.

“Fine margins, he was pushing his limits. He’s going to be devastated, he’s going to be gutted, you know. But he will pick himself up and he’ll come back from this because he’s a bit of a warrior.”

Fellow Kiwis Gustav Legnavsky and Luke Harrold also failed to qualify, ranking 14th and 15th respectively.

Harrold’s first run saw him in contention for the finals after he placed 11th, but run two saw the 17-year-old lose a ski.

“It was a tough day out there,” he said. “Training went well but, unfortunately, I couldn’t put down the run I wanted to in the two runs. I just want to say thanks to everyone who supported me through my whole journey, it’s been pretty incredible. I couldn’t put it down today for you guys but I know I will eventually.”

Legnavsky, 20, also lost a ski on his first run, and a clean second run was not enough to lift him into the top 12.

“I’m pretty bummed … I have more, I know I have more.”

The event involves competitors performing a series of tricks while skiing down a semi-cylindrical slope.

The final was set down for 7.30am Saturday, 21 February (NZT).

Kiwi Nico Porteous won gold in the event at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

New Zealand has so far secured three medals in this year’s games.

On Thursday, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the world’s most decorated Olympic snowboarder with her silver-medal run in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event.

Luca Harrington brought home bronze at the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle last week, after Sadowski-Synnott also claimed New Zealand’s first medal of the games, taking silver in the big air event.

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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/2026/02/21/watch-ben-harrington-heads-to-freeski-halfpipe-final-fin-melville-ives-takes-brutal-fall/

Source: Radio New Zealand

• Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final
• Fin Melville Ives is in a stable condition after a fall left him unconscious and saw him stretchered off the snow
• The finals are set down for 7.30am Saturday 21 February (NZ time)

Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final after a tense finish to the second run at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

A tough competition saw three out of the four New Zealand athletes lose a ski in at least one of their two runs. Each competitor is ranked by their best run, with only the top 12 of 25 progressing to the final.

Harrington led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at 9th. The 24-year-old dropped to 12th place during the second run, making for a nail-biting wait while all the other athletes finished competing.

Making it to the finals was “an insane feeling”, he said.

“My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it.”

Speaking into the cameras on the slopes, Harrington dedicated his second run to teammate Fin Melville Ives, who had his own final hopes dashed after a fall saw him stretchered off the snow.

“Hey Finski, this one’s for you, brother. Love you, let’s go skiing,” Harrington said.

Melville Ives was the first competitor to drop into the halfpipe but lost a ski in both runs, putting him at 24th. He was assessed by medics following the second, more serious fall and stretchered off the snow.

Following the event, the New Zealand Olympic Team provided an update on his condition on social media, saying he was “stable and positive”.

Head coach Tom Willmott said “he took a big hit”, revealing the 19-year-old had been knocked unconscious.

“He’s in great care, our team doctor’s with him, his mum’s with him, and he’s doing okay. He was knocked out, but he’s conscious right now, he’s talking and he’s doing okay. He’s getting full checks, scans, x-rays, all the rest of it, just to fully rule anything out,” Willmott said.

“We had qualifying postponed due to the snow yesterday [Friday NZT] so today was the day, it was big Friday. He was using qualies as a warm up to the main event tonight [the finals, Saturday morning NZT] and he was all in, going real big.

“Fine margins, he was pushing his limits. He’s going to be devastated, he’s going to be gutted, you know. But he will pick himself up and he’ll come back from this because he’s a bit of a warrior.”

Fellow Kiwis Gustav Legnavsky and Luke Harrold also failed to qualify, ranking 14th and 15th respectively.

Harrold’s first run saw him in contention for the finals after he placed 11th, but run two saw the 17-year-old lose a ski.

“It was a tough day out there,” he said. “Training went well but, unfortunately, I couldn’t put down the run I wanted to in the two runs. I just want to say thanks to everyone who supported me through my whole journey, it’s been pretty incredible. I couldn’t put it down today for you guys but I know I will eventually.”

Legnavsky, 20, also lost a ski on his first run, and a clean second run was not enough to lift him into the top 12.

“I’m pretty bummed … I have more, I know I have more.”

The event involves competitors performing a series of tricks while skiing down a semi-cylindrical slope.

The final was set down for 7.30am Saturday, 21 February (NZT).

Kiwi Nico Porteous won gold in the event at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

New Zealand has so far secured three medals in this year’s games.

On Thursday, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the world’s most decorated Olympic snowboarder with her silver-medal run in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event.

Luca Harrington brought home bronze at the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle last week, after Sadowski-Synnott also claimed New Zealand’s first medal of the games, taking silver in the big air event.

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/2026/02/21/ben-harrington-heads-to-freeski-halfpipe-final-fin-melville-ives-takes-brutal-fall/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ben Harrington has qualified for the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe final after a tense finish to the second run at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

Harrington led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at 9th. He dropped to 12th place during the second run, meaning a nervous wait for all the other athletes to finish competing, with only the top 12 progressing to the final.

Knowing he had made the finals was “an insane feeling”, he said.

“My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it.”

Speaking into the cameras, Harrington dedicated his second run to teammate, Fin Melville Ives, who had his own final hopes dashed after a fall saw him stretchered off the snow.

“Finski, that was for you, brother,” Harrington said.

Melville Ives was the first competitor to drop into the halfpipe but lost a ski in both runs, putting him at 24th.

The New Zealand Olympic Team provided an update on his condition in a social media post shortly after the event.

“Fin is with his family and being assessed by medical professionals. He is stable and positive.”

Fellow Kiwis Gustav Legnavsky and Luke Harrold also failed to qualify, ranking 14th and 15th respectively.

Harrold’s first run saw him in contention for the finals after he placed 11th, but run two saw him lose a ski.

“It was a tough day out there,” he said. “Training went well but, unfortunately, I couldn’t put down the run I wanted to in the two runs. I just want to say thanks to everyone who supported me through my whole journey, it’s been pretty incredible. I couldn’t put it down today for you guys but I know I will eventually.”

Legnavsky lost a ski on his first run, and a clean second run was not enough to lift him into the top 12.

“I’m pretty bummed … I have more, I know I have more.”

The event involves competitors performing a series of tricks while skiing down a semi-cylindrical slope.

New Zealand’s Nico Porteous won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

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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/2026/02/21/olympics-ben-harrington-qualifies-for-freestyle-skiing-mens-freeski-halfpipe-final/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored two tries, as NZ Warriors let a pre-season win over Dolphins slip through their fingers in the dying moments.

Ahead 34-20 midway through the second half, coach Andrew Webster elected to rest his stars and give his young reserves an opportunity to impress.

Ultimately, the Dolphins youth finished strong, running in three converted tries over the last 10 minutes to take 38-34 honours on the scoreboard.

Front-rower Jackson Ford opened the scoring for the Warriors in the fourth minute, but the Dolphins took an early advantage, when Ford was guilty of a hipdrop tackle that saw him serve 10 minutes in the sin bin.

In his absence, hooker Brad Schneider put the Brisbane side ahead, but restored to full strength, hooker Wayde Egan and Watene-Zelezniak gave the Warriors an 18-10 halftime lead, with halfback Tanah Boyd on target from the tee.

The Dolphins seemed to take control after the break, when they ran in back-to-back tries for fullback Trai Fuller and winger Jamayne Isaako, but they handed momentum back, when prop Frank Molo was sin-binned for a high shoulder to Ford’s head.

Centre Ali Leiataua and Watene-Zelezniak grabbed the lead back for the Warriors, before Webster inserted his young reserves.

The newbies showed one last flourish, with half Jack Thompson bombing towards the Dolphins posts and second-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava claiming the ball to score, as the Warriors went 38-20 up, but that was their last scoring action.

Instead, Tevita Naufahu, John Fineanganofo and Brian Pouniu – all born in Auckland – rattled off tries for the Dolphins to take scoreboard honours, with Schneider converting all three.

Webster will now hold his breath over Ford’s judicial fate, while acting skipper Kurt Capewell ended the first half holding his ribs, after falling awkwardly making a tackle.

Follow the live action here:

Squads

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Haizyn Mellars, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Morgan Gannon, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Makaia Tafua, 24. Motu Pasikala, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 27. Geronimo Doyle, 28. Rodney Tuipuiotu-Vea, 29. Paea Sikuvea

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have added several frontliners, including former Warriors Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth, after suffering a 24-12 loss to Gold Coast Titans last week,

Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Francis Molo, 9. Bradley Schneider, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Morgan Knowles

Interchange: 14. Tevita Naufahu, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 17. John Fineanganofo

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. Elijah Rasmussen, 20. Brian Pouniu, 21. Zac Garton, 22. Brent Woolf, 23. Adquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke, 24. Sangstar Figota, 25. Noah Fien, 26. Elijah McKay

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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/2026/02/20/as-it-happened-nz-warriors-v-dolphins-nrl-pre-season-trial/

Source: Radio New Zealand

After sitting out round one with the bye, the Hurricanes ran rampant against Moana Pasifika in their Super Rugby Pacific opener to secure a 52-10 win, earning a bonus.

Winger Josh Moorby scored three out of the home sides five tries in the drubbing.

To add to Moana Pasifika’s woes, they lost Israel Leota and William Havili to injury, with Havili being stretcher off in the 63rd minute with a head or neck injury.

Here’s how the match unfolded

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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/2026/02/20/hurricanes-v-moana-pasifika-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ Warriors take on the Dolphins at Leichhardt Oval for their second NRL pre-season trial.

Join us for live updates at 8pm.

Squads

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Haizyn Mellars, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Morgan Gannon, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Makaia Tafua, 24. Motu Pasikala, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 27. Geronimo Doyle, 28. Rodney Tuipuiotu-Vea, 29. Paea Sikuvea

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have added several frontliners, including former Warriors Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth, after suffering a 24-12 loss to Gold Coast Titans last week,

Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Francis Molo, 9. Bradley Schneider, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Morgan Knowles

Interchange: 14. Tevita Naufahu, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 17. John Fineanganofo

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. Elijah Rasmussen, 20. Brian Pouniu, 21. Zac Garton, 22. Brent Woolf, 23. Adquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke, 24. Sangstar Figota, 25. Noah Fien, 26. Elijah McKay

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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/2026/02/20/live-nz-warriors-v-dolphins-nrl-pre-season-trial/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Goalkeeper Jimmy Hilton knows the benefit of a win bonus and he is not wasting his first professional contract.

Hilton arrived at Auckland FC this month after an SOS from the A-League club that was running out of fit or available keepers.

The 23-year-old Manchester-born and Australia-raised player has sat on the bench for Auckland’s last two games, behind Michael Woud, but an untimely fumble, a drop in form or fitness could be all that Hilton needs to play his first professional game.

Hilton is signed with Auckland until the end of the season, in a “dream come true” move from NSW National Premier League club Marconi Stallions.

“I’ve been working for a long time to get my opportunity and it kind of came out of the blue,” the reigning National Premier League NSW Goalkeeper of the Year said of the call-up he got while he was working coaching.

“I was playing pretty close to home for a long time. I was really concentrating on my schools and my studies, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I went to Marconi Stallions and was there for five years and once I made the first team, I didn’t come out, so there’s 99 games there that I played in the first team.”

He had trialled and trained with other A-League clubs but the opportunities did not pan out.

Opportunities for goalkeepers were scarce but Hilton always wanted to be playing first team football.

“Growing up, the option was always there to be a third string or to be around an academy. But for me, I wanted to be in men’s football for as long as possible and play games where the win bonus matters.

“It pays your rent, it puts food on the table and petrol in the car. So I think being in that part-time environment and really learning how to win and how important the win bonus is for players has put me in good stead to now make the most of this opportunity.”

The change from a part-time playing role to a full-time gig was eye-opening for Hilton.

“Having better players and better coaches around you, it really makes you lift your game.

“You’ve had the clubs giving all the resources you could possibly need to adapt quickly and to be at the level, so I feel like I’m doing well.”

Working under Auckland FC goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould was one of the “biggest selling points” to say yes to moving across the ditch.

“To have someone of that stature at the club, he’s a bit of a cult legend, a bit of an icon within the goalkeeping community, so I’m really excited to work with him more and just add to my game.

“He’s already given me one or two things to work on, parts of my game that I thought were up to scratch that he said, ‘oh, maybe give this a little bit of attention’.

“For me, it’s all about becoming as good a footballer, as good a goalkeeper as I can be and he’s pretty detail-oriented and the process has already started.”

Hilton knew he still might have to bide his time in Auckland, but as a goalkeeper that had nearly been in goal for 100 consecutive matches he knew what it took to keep the number one position when the opportunity came.

“Woudy’s doing incredibly well at the moment, he’s been in the Premier League, he knows exactly what he’s doing. Just training with someone like that full-time there’s so much little things that you can see and pick up and add to your game.

“Even the young boys here, the level’s very, very good.

“I think both New Zealand and Australia have been renowned for producing some very good goalkeepers over the years. So I’m hoping to add to that list, follow in some pretty big footsteps. A lot of people who’ve been there and done it and have blueprints there to follow.”

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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/2026/02/20/from-saving-cash-to-saving-goals-auckland-fcs-new-keeper-ready-to-step-up/

Source: Radio New Zealand

After sitting out round one with the bye, the Hurricanes will open their campaign in the capital on Friday night against a buoyant Moana side bringing Pasifika bragging rights back from Lautoka.

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action from Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Kick off is 7pm.

Squads

Hurricanes: 1 Xavier Numia, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Siale Lauaki, 4 Hugo Plummer, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Devan Flanders, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Brayden Iose, 9 Ereatara Enari, 10 Brett Cameron, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Jordie Barrett (c), 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 14 Josh Moorby, 15 Callum Harkin

Bench: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Matolu Petaia, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Arese Poliko, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Billy Proctor

“It was a huge crowd against Moana last year, so hopefully we can create that again and put in a performance that gets our fans excited and gets them coming back for the rest of the season.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw

Moana Pasifika: 1 Abraham Pole, 2 Samiuela Moli (c), 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 5 Alefosio Aho, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Konrad Toleafoa, 8 Dominic Ropeti, 9 Siaosi Nginingini, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Faletoi Peni, 13 Glen Vaihu, 14 Israel Leota, 15 Simon Peter Toleafoa

Bench: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Miracle Faiilagi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 William Havili, 23 Tevita Ofa

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/20/live-hurricanes-v-moana-pasifika-super-rugby-pacific/

Source: Radio New Zealand

There are major injury concerns for both the women’s and men’s Wellington Phoenix sides.

They have lost two New Zealand internationals to serious injuries ahead of their respective round 18 A-League matches.

Football Ferns fullback Lara Wall and All Whites attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh will both be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

The Phoenix women have had more than their fair share of injuries this season.

Wall tore her left calf in the defeat to Central Coast Mariners at Porirua Park on Sunday, while Singh injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee in his much-anticipated Phoenix return against Western Sydney last Friday night.

As well as potentially sidelining her for the remainder of the Ninja A-League regular season, the calf injury unfortunately rules Wall out of the Ferns’ upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifiers in the Solomon Islands.

Singh is likely to miss the All Whites matches against Finland and Chile at Eden Park at the end of next month, on top of the Phoenix men’s next five Isuzu UTE A-League matches.

All Whites fullback Tim Payne has also been ruled out of Saturday’s derby against Auckland FC with a hamstring injury.

The second-placed Phoenix women play at Melbourne Victory on Friday night.

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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/2026/02/20/injury-woes-for-phoenix-women-and-men/

Source: Radio New Zealand

There are two new players in the White Ferns squad named to take on Zimbabwe later this month.

Northern Brave duo Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight have been included for the series, which will be the first between the two nations and includes three T20I’s and three ODI’s.

Off-spinning all-rounder Patel returns to the group after being centrally contracted for the 2022-23 season.

She was the Brave’s top run-scorer in the Super Smash this summer and second-equal wicket-taker alongside Knight.

Knight, a former New Zealand under-19 representative, is available for just the T20 series, with Molly Penfold to replace her in the ODI squad.

“We’ve prioritised players that could make the T20 World Cup squad in June, whilst also providing international exposure to high-potential talent whose skillsets align with long-term White Ferns planning,” said coach Ben Sawyer.

“Nensi and Kayley have both been solid performers over the last 12-18 months, so it’s really pleasing for them to get this opportunity.”

The squad will be captained by Melie Kerr in her first assignment as New Zealand’s permanent captain.

Suzie Bates (quadricep) and Eden Carson (elbow) were not considered for selection due to their respective injuries, and Lea Tahuhu was not considered for the T20I squad due to physical preparation planning for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.

Sophie Devine, who is on a casual contract with NZC, was not available for this series.

WHITE FERNS Squad v Zimbabwe

Flora Devonshire Central Hinds

Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts

Maddy Green Auckland Hearts

Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts

Bree Illing Auckland Hearts

Polly Inglis Sparks (T20I only)

Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr Wellington Blaze

Kayley Knight* Northern Brave (T20I only)

Emma McLeod Central Hinds (ODI only)

Rosemary Mair Central Hinds

Nensi Patel* Northern Brave

Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts (ODI only)

Georgia Plimmer Wellington Blaze

Izzy Sharp** Canterbury Magicians

Series against Zimbabwe

Wed 25 Feb: 1st T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Fri 27 Feb: 2nd T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Sun 1 March: 3rd T20, 1:15pm, Hamilton

Thurs 5 March: 1st ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Sun 8 March: 2nd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Wed 11 March, 3rd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/20/north-brave-duo-set-to-debut-for-white-ferns/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Gisborne deputy mayor Josh Wharehinga has been appointed as the new president of Boxing New Zealand as the sport grapples with complaints about its head coach.

The Sport Integrity Commission has been investigating Boxing NZ and its head coach Billy Meehan.

Cathy Meehan, who is the wife of Billy Meehan, recently stepped down from her role as president of the organisation.

Earlier this month, a top Kiwi boxer told RNZ that an alleged culture of sexism, favouritism and bullying drove her to walk away from a promising amateur career.

Commonwealth Games medalist Tasmyn Benny said Meehan killed her passion for the sport.

Described as a ‘boys club’ rife with verbal abuse, sexually inappropriate behaviour and misogyny, Benny said she was made to feel powerless and without a voice in the environment.

“You can’t really go to Boxing New Zealand because it’s all made of his family and friends. They’re all in the same circle,” she told RNZ.

After winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, Benny said she noticed a shift at the organisation.

“All the management and coaching changed for New Zealand boxing and that’s when everything went downhill. Billy was in charge the whole time.”

Meehan has not responded to the allegations. The Integrity Commission has defended the delay in a resolution.

Wharehinga served four terms on Gisborne’s council – two as deputy mayor – before stepping away from local government earlier this year to concentrate on his business interests and reinvigorating boxing in Tai Rāwhiti.

The respected referee and judge thanked his colleagues on the Boxing New Zealand executive for “entrusting me with this important responsibility,” Wharehinga said.

“The first thing I’d like to do as incoming president is pay tribute to Cathy for her tireless, selfless service to boxing in Aotearoa. Cathy is a tremendous kaitiaki of the sport and will continue to be an important contributor to our future success.

“I’m incredibly passionate about boxing. It has been a huge part of my life so to be appointed to this role at an important time for the sport is a huge honour,” he said.

Local businessman and Otago Boxing Association member Bryan Usher has been appointed vice president, replacing Mark Fuller.

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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/2026/02/19/boxing-nz-appoints-new-leadership-as-investigation-into-head-coach-drags-on/