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Terror threat level to New Zealand assessed as ‘possible’ after language overhaul

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZSIS Director General Andrew Hampton. VNP/Louis Collins

The terror threat level to New Zealand has not changed – but the language used to describe it has.

Following a review by the Combined Threat Assessment Group (an inter-agency group led by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service), the threat level has been assessed as “possible,” which is equivalent to the previous level of “low.”

The NZSIS explained the change in language reflected efforts to explain the threat level in a more meaningful and accessible way to the public.

Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the designation ‘possible’ was exactly what it said.

“A terrorist attack in New Zealand is assessed as possible. This is something we should all be concerned about.”

Hampton said the NZSIS had talked about the deteriorating global threat environment “for some time,” and that was continuing.

“We are not yet at a point where the impact of this on New Zealand requires a change in our domestic terrorism threat level, but we are dealing with increasing complexities which makes it harder to detect terrorism threats.

“Although the terrorism threat level remains unchanged, we should not be complacent. A small number of individuals in New Zealand continue to express intent to undertake an act of violent extremism. Some almost certainly have access to the basic capabilities needed to carry out an attack.”

New Zealand’s terror threat level has not changed since November 2022.

The new definitions were expected, highly likely, likely, possible, and unlikely, replacing extreme, high, medium, low, and very low.

Last year, the NZSIS Security Threat Environment report said New Zealand was facing the most challenging national security environment of recent times, with foreign interference, espionage, and online radicalisation all highlighted as threats.

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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/2026/02/24/terror-threat-level-to-new-zealand-assessed-as-possible-after-language-overhaul/

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Science, Maths and English resources rolling into classrooms

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is rolling out new Maths, English, and Science resources and initiatives, helping raise student achievement and sparking discovery in primary classrooms with brand-new science kits, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced.

“We’re committed to helping young people who are behind to accelerate and to ensuring they have the foundations to set them up for the next steps in their learning journey,” Ms Stanford says.

New resources now available include:

  • A new teacher-facilitated writing tool for Year 6 to 10 students a year or more behind
  • Maths resources for Year 9 and 10 students
  • New science kits for primary school classrooms

“Today’s Maths and English package will help ensure children are ready when they finish primary school, along with supporting students currently in their early years of secondary school.

“From next week, through our Make it Write action plan, Year 6 to 10 students who are a year or more behind are set to benefit from the new Writing Acceleration Tool.

“Scribo is a teacher-facilitated 14-week tutoring programme that will provide targeted support for each student’s learning needs. 

“The writing tool will help close literacy gaps and strengthen students’ writing, spelling, and grammar. It is curriculum aligned and designed to reflect New Zealand context and culture.

“We have been able to extend the programme to Year 10, which was initially announced for Years 6 to 8. There will be 120,000 student licences available to all state and state-integrated schools. Resources and strong support will be available for teachers alongside the release.”

New curriculum-aligned digital maths resources are also being provided for Year 9 and 10 students, alongside professional learning and development, following feedback from secondary schools. This is a continuation of the maths supports we have provided to every primary school across the country, now rolling up to Years 9 and 10.

“The new digital resources for Years 9 and 10 will include digital textbooks and workbooks guidance for teachers. Over the next three years, the resources are expected to benefit around 140,000 students each year, supporting 6,000 teachers.

“Teachers can choose the extent to which they use the resources, whether in full, or for supplementing existing resources that are working for them. There will also be professional learning development provided.”

Ms Stanford says a major milestone has also been reached in delivering Budget 2025 investments to strengthen science in primary and intermediate schools.

“New science kits are now rolling out across schools. These will be hands on and curriculum aligned, supporting teachers with bringing science to life in classrooms.

“We’re focused on ensuring every child is inspired and engaged with their learning. The new kits will support strong science from an early age and support teachers to deliver practical, interactive lessons.

“Science is such a fun and interesting part of school for so many young people, full of discovery and experimentation. These kits will provide another great dynamic element to lessons that helps spark interest and knowledge that can lead into new pathways in the future. This will help provide a great introduction to STEM subjects, an in-demand area with high-value jobs.”

Through the Government’s investment of $40 million, science kit provision is set to have full national coverage by early 2027, to align with the implementation of the new science curriculum.

“This is a Government that has put more resources into the hands of students to help raise achievement and close the equity gap, through careful financial management and prioritisation. 

“Our children and teachers deserve the resources and supports to set them up for success. We’re committed to increasing the number of students to the expected level and to growing potential – our investment today is about fixing the basics, and teaching the basics brilliantly.”

Notes to editor:

  • The initiatives support the Government’s target of 80 percent of Year 8 students at, or above, the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030. The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study 2024 showed that:
    • For writing, 24 percent of Year 8 students were at the expected curriculum benchmark.
    • For maths, 23 per cent of Year 8 students were at the curriculum benchmark
  • The Writing Acceleration tool has been made available in response to results released last year from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study.
  • Scribo is used internationally by leading school systems across Australia, South-East Asia, the USA and the Middle East.
  • The Government has also funded 349 literacy intervention teachers for primary schools and 143 maths intervention teachers through Budget 2025’s learning support investment package.
  • The maths resources are being provided by Education Perfect, a local Kiwi company.
  • In Maths, through Budget 25, maths intervention teachers will also be providing a new 12-week Maths Acceleration Programme for Years 3 to 6. This will facilitate small-group sessions as an addition to the regular classroom programme. More than 800 schools will be using the programme in 2026, with almost 140 additional full-time equivalent teachers already funded.
  • The maths resources into schools programme for Years 0 to 8 has delivered more than one million maths books.
  • Science kits will be developed and provided by House of Science, a reputable local provider. Training and ongoing support will be available for teachers.
  • 720 schools have already registered for a science kit, ahead of the curriculum. There will be, on average, two kits per year level at any one time. The kits will be taken after a period of time and replaced with a brand-new kit.
  • As part of this initiative, an entirely new suite of science kits is in development for Māori‑medium education, with purpose‑built resources for and settings that align with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, the Māori curriculum.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/science-maths-and-english-resources-rolling-into-classrooms/

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Pharmac proposes to widen access to two medicines for people with melanoma

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is proposing to widen access to two medicines used to treat melanoma, giving people another funded immunotherapy option that can help lower the chance of the cancer coming back.

The proposal would allow people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma, that can be removed with surgery, to receive nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab before surgery. People who require further treatment after surgery would also have access to funded nivolumab or other funded treatments if suitable.

“Treating melanoma with immunotherapy before surgery can significantly improve how well treatment works,” says Pharmac’s Director of Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin. “This proposal would give people access to another effective treatment option that helps reduce the risk of melanoma returning after surgery.”

Pharmac’s clinical advisors have said that using these treatments together, before surgery, and then adjusting treatment after surgery based on how well the cancer has responded, can lower the chance of melanoma coming back. This approach has been shown to work better than using nivolumab on its own after surgery. Nearly two in three people have a very strong response by the time their tumour is removed, with significant shrinkage or very little active disease remaining.

“For many people, a strong early response may mean less treatment after surgery, with fewer infusions, and less disruption to daily life,” says Martin. “This also eases pressure on infusion clinics and helps the health system manage growing demand.”

People who still need treatment after surgery would continue to have access to funded nivolumab through this proposal, or other funded treatments if suitable.

Pharmac currently funds pembrolizumab, for people with melanoma which can be removed by surgery. Funding nivolumab combined with ipilimumab would mean that some patients would require fewer infusions, which would reduce pressure on hospital oncology infusion centres, and free up resources.

Pharmac estimates around 155 people would receive this treatment in the first year, increasing to about 166 people per year after five years. Most of the people in this group would have otherwise received funded pembrolizumab. Nivolumab and ipilimumab are already approved for use in New Zealand and are funded for some other cancers.

Pharmac is seeking feedback on the proposal from people with melanoma, their whānau and carers, health professionals, and other interested groups.

Consultation closes at 5 pm, Friday 6 March 2026. Feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz. All feedback received before the closing date will be considered before a decision is made.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/pharmac-proposes-to-widen-access-to-two-medicines-for-people-with-melanoma/

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Patient data changed as major NZ health app MediMap hacked

Source: Radio New Zealand

An apparent hack of medication platform MediMap has led to some alive patients being marked as deceased, and others labelled as ‘Charlie Kirk’. SCREENSHOT

A digital medical records data company has been taken offline after some patient records were modified.

MediMap is used by some health providers in aged care, disability, hospice and the community to accurately record medication doses.

A notification on the company’s website says the company is investigating the scope of the impact and will remain offline while this happens.

It comes almost two months after privately owned patient portal Manage My Health was caught up in a privacy breach.

More to come…

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/patient-data-changed-as-major-nz-health-app-medimap-hacked/

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New online seafarer licensing service coming soon

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ is preparing to launch an online application process for seafarer licensing. We’ve developed this new service through extensive engagement with the sector.

Over the past few years, people across the maritime community have shared valuable feedback on our notifications, certification, and licensing processes. This feedback has guided improvements that will make the process clearer and easier to follow. 

We’re aiming to launch the seafarer licensing online application form in April 2026. The form will guide applicants through each step and tailor the process to the type of certificate they need. It clearly outlines the required documents and applicants can upload everything in one place. This will create a more streamlined experience for applicants and help our staff receive the information they need to progress applications efficiently. 

Director Kirstie Hewlett says the changes reflect Maritime NZ’s commitment to supporting the sector with practical improvements.  

“These improvements are a direct result of listening to the sector and acting on what we heard. We’re also working on a refreshed version of our website, which will have better navigation, improved search functionality, and – most importantly – updated and clearer content.” 

These changes are part of the broader digital platform that Maritime NZ will continue to build and improve over time. 

Kirstie says, “We’re excited to bring these improvements to the sector and look forward to supporting seafarers with a smoother licensing journey.” 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/new-online-seafarer-licensing-service-coming-soon/

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New disclosure rules for local water service providers to come into effect on Friday

Source: Radio New Zealand

It aims to help the public understand how money was spent and how their local water service provider was performing. 123RF

Councils and water service entities will soon have to report how much is being spent on water supplies, what they are charging residents and how they plan to look after their infrastructure.

The Commerce Commission said new disclosure rules would be rolled out from Friday and would help the public understand how money was spent and how their local water service provider was performing.

The commission’s head of water regulation, Charlotte Reed, said providers that managed water and wastewater networks had a responsibility to manage them in ways that protect current users and future generations.

“Economic regulation gives us tools to provide independent scrutiny of providers’ performance,” she said.

Under the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy, 44 councils are handing water supply and management to separate and new water companies, and 23 are keeping services in-house.

Some councils have already signalled that https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/561054/this-is-another-insult-water-rates-to-triple-in-central-hawke-s-bay consumers will have to pay more as they upgrade ageing pipes and treatment systems.

The rules would be phased in with providers expected to get data collection systems up and running by June, the commission said.

The commission would turn the data into clear and accessible information for residents and ratepayers, with trends and performance able to be seen across different providers.

“By shining a light on what’s working well and where improvements are needed, communities will be able to have informed conversations about their water services- and providers can focus on delivering the outcomes they want,” Reed said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/new-disclosure-rules-for-local-water-service-providers-to-come-into-effect-on-friday/

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EIT Auckland marae visit extends welcome to Aotearoa for new international students

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

36 seconds ago

New EIT Auckland students were formally welcomed to Aotearoa during a visit to Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Te Whare Takiura o Manukau (Manukau Institute of Technology).

Held on February 13, the visit included a traditional pōwhiri and provided an opportunity for students and staff to engage with Māori tikanga and strengthen their sense of connection and belonging.

EIT Auckland students and staff during their visit to Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae as part of orientation.

Robin Fabish, Pouārahi Māori (Executive Director Māori); Rocky Ropiha, Kaiwhakaako; and Putiputi Te Wake-Munro, Advisor Mātauranga Māori, travelled from EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.

Robin said it was a real honour to join Rocky, Putiputi and members of the EIT Auckland team in welcoming the new cohort of international students.

“A formal pōwhiri is important for our new students not only for the cultural experience but also to spiritually welcome them to our land.”

“Many have left their families in their countries of origin, so as part of our manaakitanga and commitment to looking after them while they are in our country we’re pleased to be able to welcome them into our whānau.”

Student representatives Sofiya Parveen and Ruwan Dissanayaka also attended the visit to support their peers.
Ruwan said it was a privilege to be part of the marae visit as a student representative.

“I have visited the MIT Marae with EIT several times, and each experience has helped me deepen my understanding of Māori culture, values, tikanga and whakawhanaungatanga.”

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman said marae visits are an important part of welcoming students and helping them settle into life in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“EIT warmly welcomes all new students with a pōwhiri and visit to the marae. Our international students often connect with the pōwhiri experience, finding familiar elements within Māoritanga that resonate with their own culture,” she said.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/eit-auckland-marae-visit-extends-welcome-to-aotearoa-for-new-international-students/

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NZ will support Britain removing Andrew from line of succession, Christopher Luxon says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ

New Zealand would support the United Kingdom’s decision to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession should it move to.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed New Zealand’s stance.

“If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it. The UK government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes,” the statement said.

It comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to British counterpart Keir Starmer to confirm his country’s support of removal.

Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles by King Charles III last year and hasn’t worked as a member of the royal family since 2019 over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured at Windsor Castle in April 2025, was arrested on Thursday. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

However, he remained eighth in line to the throne.

The British government was considering passing a law to divest Mountbatten-Windsor of his succession rights after he was arrested by police last week, a UK official said.

Earlier on Tuesday, deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said his focus was on issues Kiwis faced.

Seymour told First Up he wouldn’t be drawn into whether New Zealand would back the move, with more pressing priorities back home.

“I think we’ve got 99 problems most New Zealanders are facing right now,” he said.

“This guy’s eighth in the line of succession, and these guys all seem to live to about 100.

“So, of all of the things that you could ask me about or we could be worried about right now, that’s probably a wee way down the list.”

Seymour said Australia had “obviously solved a few more problems” when quizzed if New Zealand had considered their position on the issue.

Good on them, he said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/nz-will-support-britain-removing-andrew-from-line-of-succession-christopher-luxon-says/

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School of murdered children Yuna and Minu Jo shocked ministry didn’t report disappearance to police

Source: Radio New Zealand

Yuna and Minu Jo attended Papatoetoe South School before their deaths in 2018. Supplied

The school attended by murdered children Yuna and Minu Jo says it’s shocked and saddened the Ministry of Education did not report their disappearance to police.

The children, aged eight and six respectively, attended a local primary school in Auckland before they were murdered by their mother Hakyung Lee in 2018.

Their bodies were not discovered until 2022 in suitcases, when an Auckland family bought the contents of a storage locker in an online auction.

Lee was sentenced to at least 17 years’ jail last November.

Ministry documents released to RNZ under the Official Information Act in January showed Yuna and Minu Jo’s absences took years to be referred to the attendance service, rather than months.

The Ministry of Education commissioned an external review to discover how the failure happened and to tighten procedures to ensure the failures did not happen again.

In a statement, the Papatoetoe South School Board said they were shocked and saddened the ministry had not reported the children’s extended absence to police.

“While we were aware of the systemic complexities involved in inter-agency referrals, seeing and feeling the consequences of these gaps is devastating,” they said.

“This tragedy brings to light the vital importance of transparency of process and robust communication between key child support agencies.”

The board said the loss of the children had been felt profoundly by the school community.

“While our school feels this gap deeply, we recognise and respect that the greatest burden of grief lies with their whānau and those closest to them.”

Out of respect for the police investigation and family privacy, the board said it have been very careful about how it moved forward, but they believed in honouring students in a culturally appropriate and meaningful way.

“We always acknowledge those we have lost during Matariki, and this Matariki will provide our first opportunity for our school community to come together and remember Yuna and Minu privately and respectfully.”

They hoped the external review would lead to a system that was more fit for purpose.

Issues identified in failure to report disappearance

Ministry documents showed the system failed to require the school to submit a non-enrolment notification.

Deputy secretary Helen Hurst said the ministry worked internally to analyse how the school attendance systems had operated in Minu and Yuna’s case.

She said issues had been identified and “processes had occurred” that contributed to the gap between the children returning to New Zealand in May 2018, a month before their murder, and the case going to attendance services in 2020.

“Without those issues, it is likely that the referral would have taken a matter of months following their return rather than years,” Hurst said.

The ministry was not notified at any point that the students were re-enrolled elsewhere, and police were not contacted prior to their investigation, she said.

A timeline showed the ministry’s efforts to find the children.

The non-enrolment process for both Yuna and Minu was initiated in September 2020, two years after their murder.

Case notes from the ministry show home visits were made, immigration checks done, and emails were sent to the children’s school and mother.

Yuna and Minu Jo’s mother Hakyung Lee stares downward during her sentencing. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

By June 2021, there had been no response from Lee, who by then was living in South Korea.

By August 2022, a note said there had still been no contact and the ministry did not know where the children were.

Hurst said the ministry had done further analysis of its systems, and commissioned an external review of how attendance systems and processes operated in the case of Minu and Yuna.

“While the primary role of attendance systems and services is to support students to attend school, we are committed to strengthening the role that the ministry plays, alongside other social sector agencies, in providing a system of support for the safety and wellbeing of children,” she said.

“There is a considerable amount of work underway to improve the support that is provided for school attendance, and any findings from the external review will help us to inform this ongoing work.”

Hurst said work was underway to establish an information sharing agreement with police, to ensure children missing from school are found.

“Work is also underway with police and Oranga Tamariki to provide simplified processes and guidance for steps to be taken any time an attendance service provider has concerns about the welfare or safety of children,” she said.

The ministry had increased the frequency of six-monthly requests to MBIE and Immigration New Zealand, which checks for the return to New Zealand of students who were unenrolled with a reason of ‘gone overseas’.

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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/2026/02/24/school-of-murdered-children-yuna-and-minu-jo-shocked-ministry-didnt-report-disappearance-to-police/

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Boosting manufacturing productivity with digital tools

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is expanding a successful University of Auckland programme that helps manufacturers adopt new technologies, boosting productivity and building skills across their workforce.

“In an increasingly digital world, overseas competitors are reaping the rewards of greater automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and cloud computing,” Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says.

“New Zealand manufacturers need these tools and technologies to sharpen their competitive edge, but some are held back by cost or concerns about disrupting their operations, especially where in-house technical expertise is limited.

“That’s why the Government has committed to a three-year funding package to expand the Digital Manufacturing Light programme, supporting businesses to work smarter, run more smoothly and face future challenges with confidence.

“The expansion will see the programme rolled out to support at least 180 small and medium‑sized manufacturers in Auckland and parts of Waikato, Northland and the Bay of Plenty, where around 55 per cent of New Zealand’s manufacturers are located. 

“Digital Manufacturing Light uses low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies and open-source software to help manufacturers introduce new systems into their existing operations without the need for major capital investment or complex infrastructure.

“Businesses taking part in the programme receive a tailored assessment of their needs, help choosing the right solutions, hands-on installation assistance, and training to ensure the new technology delivers real value on the factory floor.

“A key strength of Digital Manufacturing Light is that it works closely with manufacturers and their own technical staff, building the digital skills into the business that will support sustainable, long-term improvements. 

“Digital Manufacturing Light will support manufacturers to move away from manual and often outdated processes, providing real-time insights into machine performance, bottlenecks, and quality issues. 

“The potential benefits are significant. Research from Xero and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research shows that faster digital adoption across small and medium‑sized enterprises could lift national GDP by $8.6 billion. 

“The Government is fixing the basics and building the future for New Zealand. Backing programmes like Digital Manufacturing Light is a smart, targeted investment that helps smaller firms grow, innovate, and contribute to our economy and communities.”

Notes to editor:  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/boosting-manufacturing-productivity-with-digital-tools/

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‘It does seem like a very different group’: Molly Penfold on new-look White Ferns

Source: Radio New Zealand

Molly Penfold of Auckland Hearts celebrates getting a wicket www.photosport.nz

White Ferns bowler Molly Penfold is excited about the new-look team that will take on Zimbabwe over the next couple of weeks.

The two sides will meet in three T20Is and three ODIs starting with the first T20 game in Hamilton on Wednesday night.

The White Ferns are without a number of key players, with Suzie Bates and Eden Carson injured, Sophie Devine not available and Lea Tahuhu under managed workload. Amelia Kerr is the new captain.

The White Ferns squad does contain two possible debutants in spinner Nensi Patel and pace bowler Kayley Knight from the Northern Brave.

Penfold, who has played just 24 games for New Zealand, admits there is a feeling of change.

“It does seem like a very different group, but it is a good opportunity for players who probably don’t get as much game time in the White Ferns to hopefully step up and be in that playing 11, so yes it’s exciting.”

Pace bowler Penfold has no doubt that new captain Kerr will take on the role seamlessly.

“She’s just a natural leader and she is a huge character in this group. We know that coming off the back of Soph’s captaincy as well she has left a big impact on us and so big shoes to fill but I know that Melie will be more than capable of doing so.”

Melie (Amelia) Kerr of New Zealand White Ferns women’s national cricket team. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Zimbabwe has had a change in coaching staff and will now be under the guidance of former White Fern Kate Ebrahim.

Zimbabwe made the change following their sides disappointing T20 World Cup qualifier in Nepal last month with Ebrahim named as interim coach.

Ebrahim played 70 games for New Zealand between 2010 and 2021 and is married to former Zimbabwe batter and current men’s assistant coach Dion Ebrahim.

Penfold admits she was surprised when she learnt that Ebrahim had been appointed Zimbabwe coach.

“It’s cool to see her take up that opportunity, she brings a great competitiveness to the game.”

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

White Ferns schedule against Zimbabwe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/2026/02/24/it-does-seem-like-a-very-different-group-molly-penfold-on-new-look-white-ferns/

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Crash closes SH2 near Mangatāwhiri

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A serious crash on State Highway 2 near Mangatāwhiri has closed the road in both directions.

Police were called to the crash involving two vehicles just after 11am.

They said initial indications were that there had been serious injuries.

The highway was closed in both directions between Rawiri Road and Kopuku Road.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/crash-closes-sh2-near-mangatawhiri/

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New maths, English, science resources rolled out at schools after teachers bemoan delay

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Education Minister is announcing new maths, English and science resources that were due to be in schools at the start of this year will now be rolled out.

The resources include a new teacher-facilitated writing tool for Year 6 to 10 students a year or more behind and maths resources for Year 9 and 10 students.

Earlier this month, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association criticised the Minister for not delivering the resources on time and causing an extremely frustrating and stressful start to the school year.

PPTA president Chris Abercrombie said at the time well developed resources and implemented smoothly are “so crucial”, especially with the amount of new content the Minister had introduced.

Education Minister Erica Stanford made the announcement alongside the Prime Minister in Auckland on Tuesday. There will also be new science kits for primary school classrooms, an investment made in Budget 2025.

The writing tool, called Scribo, is a teacher-facilitated 12-week tutoring programme providing targeted support for each student’s learning needs, she explained.

She said it will “help close literacy gaps” and strengthen students’ writing, spelling, and grammar. It was also curriculum aligned and designed to reflect New Zealand context and culture, she said. The programme was now being extended to students in Year 10.

The curriculum-aligned digital maths resources for Years 9 and 10 would include digital textbooks and workbooks guidance for teachers.

“Over the next three years, the resources are expected to benefit around 140,000 students each year, supporting 6000 teachers,” Stanford said.

Teachers can choose the extent to which they use the resources, and there will be professional learning development provided.

She said the science kits were delivering on Budget 2025 investments to strengthen science in primary and intermediate schools.

“These will be hands-on and curriculum-aligned, supporting teachers with bringing science to life in classrooms,” Stanford said.

“Science is such a fun and interesting part of school for so many young people, full of discovery and experimentation.”

She said $40 million was allocated in Budget 2025, and the provision of those kits throughout the country will be achieved by early 2027.

Part of the initiative has an entirely new suite of science kits in development for Māori medium education.

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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/2026/02/24/new-maths-english-science-resources-rolled-out-at-schools-after-teachers-bemoan-delay/

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Aged care sector reiterates commitment to equitable pay for care workforce

Source: Aged Care Association

The Aged Care Association acknowledges the release today of the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity report.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin said the report reinforces an issue the sector has consistently raised: the women who overwhelmingly staff New Zealand’s aged residential care facilities perform work that requires skill, judgement, responsibility and resilience, and that work should be valued accordingly.
“Care and support workers in aged residential care undertake skilled and demanding roles. They provide hands-on personal care, support residents living with complex health conditions and dementia, monitor wellbeing and escalate concerns to registered nurses, assist with medication under delegation, support mobility and safe transfers, and contribute to palliative and end-of-life care within a multidisciplinary team.
“This work requires judgement, training, physical resilience and emotional intelligence. It is skilled work and work that deserves to be valued accordingly.
“Our long-held view is simple: work that requires comparable skills, responsibility and effort should be remunerated on an equitable basis, regardless of whether it is traditionally performed by women or men.”
Martin said aged residential care providers participated in the pay equity process in good faith.
“We engaged because we believe in fair recognition of the workforce. Providers gathered extensive data and worked constructively toward a sector-wide solution.
“At the same time, we have always been clear that pay equity in a government-funded sector must be matched by sustainable funding settings. Providers cannot absorb structural wage corrections without corresponding funding adjustments.”
She said the broader issue remains workforce sustainability.
“New Zealand has around 40,000 aged residential care beds, significantly more than the public hospital bed base, and demand will continue to grow as our population ages.
“To deliver safe, high-quality care, we must attract and retain a skilled workforce. Fair and equitable pay is part of that equation, alongside immigration settings, training pathways and a funding model that reflects the true cost of care.”
The Association will continue to engage constructively with Government on achieving a durable solution that supports residents, workers and providers alike.
“Our focus remains on ensuring older New Zealanders receive the care they deserve – delivered by a workforce that is respected and properly valued.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/aged-care-sector-reiterates-commitment-to-equitable-pay-for-care-workforce/

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Successful Māori startup accelerator returns for another year

Source: Tapuwae Roa

Tapuwae Roa has announced today the return of its flagship Tupu Accelerator, an eight-week programme designed to propel Māori businesses from startups to investment-ready global ventures.
Developed by Tapuwae Roa in partnership with Sprout Agritech, and co-funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the programme will onboard ten aspiring Māori-founded startups, equipping them with the tools, mentorship and resources to scale quickly and sustainably on the world stage.
“We created Tupu for Māori entrepreneurs striving to make their big business dreams go global, scaling their innovations to reach international markets,” says Te Pūoho Kātene, Chief Executive of Tapuwae Roa. 
“We know Māori have the talent to compete globally; Tupu provides the mentorship, expertise and networks to help make that global vision a reality.”
Now entering its third year, Tupu continues to demonstrate measurable impact, with 87 percent of participating founders considering Tupu as a game-changer for their business.
“It [Tupu] has had a massive impact and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in this kaupapa. It instilled in us belief and gave us the tools to take our business from a part-time mahi to a full-time business with export aspirations,” says Keela Atkinson, co-founder of Mauriora Kombucha.
Facilitated by experienced business coaches Saara Tawha and Brittany Teei (founder, KidsCoin), the accelerator focuses on key development areas for startup success, including customer validation, market analysis, intellectual property protection, and navigating the process of raising capital.
Featuring a hybrid blend of in-person wānanga, guest speakers, online sessions, and personalised coaching, Tupu equips founders with the skills to elevate their businesses from local operations to internationally competitive markets.
“We want to see our driven, innovative Māori founders shining on the world stage, and Tupu is here to help them to accomplish that global aspiration, says Kātene. 
Applications are now open and close on 23 March 2026. For more information or to apply, visit www.tupu.org.nz.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/23/successful-maori-startup-accelerator-returns-for-another-year/

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The Moment: Charli XCX is the ultimate chronicler of contemporary pop stardom

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alice Pember, Assistant Professor of Film and Television Studies, University of Warwick

“Want to go again?” a choreographer asks Charli XCX at the start of the mockumentary The Moment. It’s the latest entry in the pop star’s rapidly expanding cinematic empire, propelled by the stratospheric cultural impact of her 2024 album, Brat.

He is asking if she’s ready to practise a gyrating, strobe-heavy routine one more time. But this question also gestures towards the central conceit of the film: what if “Brat summer” was pushed beyond its natural expiry date? Not to explore “the tension of staying too long”, as Charli has described it, but in a cynical attempt to further monetise this fleeting moment of pop cultural hype.

Conceived by Charli, The Moment offers a semi-fictionalised mockumentary account of the post Brat summer comedown. It positions her at the centre of several cynical attempts to extend its lifespan through questionable endorsement deals, social media posts and an ill-fated concert film. The film’s events map eerily onto the real post-Brat timeline, inviting knowing audiences to question the boundary between fiction and reality.

Charli’s uncertain response to the choreographer’s question − “Err … yeah?” – from the floor of her rehearsal space (in that starriest of destinations, Dagenham) crystallises the film’s knowing subversion of dominant trends in the female-oriented pop star documentary.

[embedded content]
The trailer for The Moment.

As cultural theorist Annelot Prins has outlined in a paper, pop star documentaries like Lady Gaga’s Five Foot Two (2017), Kesha’s Rainbow (2020) and Taylor’s Swift’s Miss Americana (2020) tend to present “empowering narratives of talented and hardworking women who used to be constrained by different factors but overcame them with resilience […] and are now self-determined agents”.

This approach to female celebrity has continued in a recent glut of arena concert films released by stars including Swift, Beyoncé and Olivia Rodrigo. These arena spectaculars combine polished tour footage with backstage glimpses into the creative process. It’s a combination of intimacy and polish engineered to confirm their authentic talent in the face of the relentless commercial demands of the pop world.

Read more: A swift history of the concert film, from The Last Waltz to the Eras Tour

The “resilient pop documentary” is part of a wider trend identified by feminist media scholars: representations of celebrity women overcoming setbacks such as sexual assault (Kesha), addiction (Demi Lovato) or illness (Lady Gaga).

Feminist sociologist Angela McRobbie’s work shows how these images of “resilient” female celebrities block collective resistance to misogyny, racism and classism, by making women believe they can overcome oppression through “self-management and care”.

This is a pattern that these documentaries repeat with their emphasis on the creative survival of the damaged female pop star. The Moment invokes and satirises these narrative templates by showing Charli’s fictionalised self’s inability to control the runaway momentum of her own stardom.

Resilience to reflexivity

While The Moment has been positioned as Charli’s pivot from pop to the silver screen, it extends the subversions of her oft-forgotten first cinematic venture: 2022’s Charli XCX: Alone Together.

Inverting The Moment’s narrative structure, Alone Together opens with Charli’s preparations for her first arena tour, charting the effects of its abrupt cancellation in the wake of COVID. The remainder of the film depicts Charli’s production of her fourth studio album over the course of a whirlwind six-weeks of the first lockdown.

This ambitious undertaking could have provided the perfect opportunity to emphasise Charli’s resilience, but Alone Together takes a difference tack. It focuses on the emotional toll the album’s production took on Charli and emphasises the digital spaces of care and community that enabled her and her fans to survive the pandemic.

While The Moment and Alone Together approach subversion differently, both knowingly undermine the resilience typically celebrated in pop star documentaries, exposing the endless performance of “overcoming” on which female pop stardom relies. The ending of Alone Together positions Charli as the unmoved consumer of the final album. A post-credit sequence shows her immediately at another loose end. “I just feel a bit, like, bored … What am I going to do now?” she says to camera, laughing.

[embedded content]
The trailer for Alone Together.

The Moment’s closing scenes echo Alone Together’s feeling of anti-climax by ending with the trailer for the Brat concert film and its invitation to “be a 365 Party Girl from the comfort of your own home”. Hilariously, this is soundtracked by the Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony – an overplayed Britpop anthem that confirms the fictional XCX’s fall from cool in pursuit of mass appeal.

The film’s quasi-documentary style compounds its challenge to the forms of authenticity upon which resilient pop stardom relies. In a voice note to her team, Charli explains that she is completing the film to “kill Brat” and free herself to pursue other creative endeavours. Here, the film uses the intimate framing used to convey authentic agency in the conventional pop documentary. This serves to blur the paper-thin line between the “real” post-Brat hype engineered by Charli and the trite, opportunistic spectacle she embraces in The Moment.

That we are left with no clear sense of what the difference truly is signals that, far from being a “shallow” take on pop celebrity, The Moment turns the conventions of the pop star documentary against themselves. In doing so, the film cleverly exposes the artificiality inherent in even the most seemingly authentic of pop performances.

Taken together, these two films cement Charli XCX’s status as our best chronicler of contemporary female pop stardom and the role of her film texts in exposing the artifice at play in supposedly “authentic” resilient pop cultural performance.

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– ref. The Moment: Charli XCX is the ultimate chronicler of contemporary pop stardom – https://theconversation.com/the-moment-charli-xcx-is-the-ultimate-chronicler-of-contemporary-pop-stardom-276681

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/the-moment-charli-xcx-is-the-ultimate-chronicler-of-contemporary-pop-stardom-276681/

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3D-printed ‘ghost guns’ are not as untraceable as criminals think – new study

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Georgina Sauzier, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry, Curtin University

3D-printed guns are a growing threat to public safety. The blueprints used to make these firearms can be found online, making them easily accessible. With a relatively cheap 3D printer and a quick web search, anyone could print their own unlicensed gun.

These guns have been called “untraceable”. Research is now putting this claim to the test.

Our new study, published in the journal Forensic Chemistry, has found some filaments – the materials used in 3D printers – have distinct chemical profiles that could help link seized 3D-printed guns to their source.

The threat of ‘ghost guns’

Last October, an Australian Border Force operation uncovered 281 3D-printed firearms or components.

3D-printed components can be combined with common hardware store parts to create “hybrid” weapons, increasing their strength and durability. Both fully 3D-printed and hybrid 3D-printed guns can be just as lethal as factory-made firearms.

Recent events have led to calls for retailers to help stem the flow of 3D-printed guns. Suggestions have included placing blocking technology on 3D printers or flagging the purchase of items that could be used to make hybrid firearms.

But what can be done about the weapons already circulating in the community?

3D-printed guns have earned the nickname of “ghost guns”, as they are difficult to trace through standard firearms analysis. With law enforcement struggling to trace the source of seized ghost guns, it falls to researchers to find an alternative solution.

Chemical analysis of the filaments used to print these weapons may be the ticket to ending their “untraceable” reputation.

What are 3D-printing filaments?

3D-printing filaments are made up of various polymers, or plastics.

The main polymer used in at-home 3D printing is polylactic acid or PLA, a bioplastic used to make compostable waste bags. Other common filaments are those made from ABS – the main material used to make LEGO bricks due to its toughness – and PETG, a flexible polymer found in sports water bottles.

Some specialist filaments are made by combining different polymers. Many also have additives – extra ingredients to improve toughness, flexibility or appearance.

A microscopic view of 3D-printing filament fragments ready for analysis. Author provided

As 3D-printing filaments are usually patented to protect their individual formulations, additives and other minor ingredients are typically not listed on the product packaging. It is these ingredients that could hold the key to tracing ghost guns.

The mix of ingredients used in 3D-printing filaments gives each type of filament a particular chemical signature. We can identify these signatures using a method called infrared spectroscopy, which records how the filament absorbs infrared light. This pattern of absorbance – an infrared profile – changes based on what molecules are present in the filament.

An infrared spectrometer is used to measure the chemical signature of a material. Author provided

What we found

In our research, conducted in collaboration with ChemCentre – a statutory forensic laboratory in Western Australia – we analysed more than 60 filaments sourced from the Australian retail market. We discovered that many of these filaments could be distinguished using their infrared profile, despite looking identical to the eye.

Filaments made of PLA, ABS and PETG can be easily set apart due to large differences in the chemical make-up of each polymer.

However, we were also able to separate some filaments made of the same polymer, due to minor additives creating differences in their infrared profile.

In one filament for example, we found signs of a compatibiliser – an additive that helps two polymers to mix together. This ingredient was not found in other filaments of the same base polymer, meaning it could be a distinct part of the brand’s formulation. It also suggests this filament contained two different polymers, despite only one being listed on the packaging.

These findings highlight why chemical analysis of filaments is useful, despite them being a widely available consumer product.

Tracing the seemingly untraceable

Being able to distinguish or identify different 3D-printing filaments could allow forensic investigators to create links between a seized gun and seized filament, or guns seized from different cases.

These links can help lead law enforcement to the suppliers of these guns, ultimately disrupting supply chains and future production.

While our research shows some 3D-printing filaments could be distinguished, this was not the case for all filaments. We are now conducting further research using more analytical techniques that will provide complementary information, such as the elements contained within the filaments.

Combining different techniques will allow us to complete a full chemical picture of each filament. We hope this information will help us to make links between a seized 3D-printed firearm, the filament it was printed from, and the 3D-printer used to print it.

By tracing the chemical fingerprint of 3D-printed guns, criminals can no longer feel safe under their “untraceable” veil.

– ref. 3D-printed ‘ghost guns’ are not as untraceable as criminals think – new study – https://theconversation.com/3d-printed-ghost-guns-are-not-as-untraceable-as-criminals-think-new-study-275566

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/3d-printed-ghost-guns-are-not-as-untraceable-as-criminals-think-new-study-275566/

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Roger Fowler’s legacy – and the Polynesian Panthers connection

Polynesian Panther Party Legacy Trust

The Polynesian Panthers met Roger Fowler in the early 1970s when Ponsonby was home to the largest urban Pacific population in Aotearoa.

He helped establish the Ponsonby People’s Union for Survival and ran several much needed community focused programmes like a food co-op, tenant’s rights advice and support.

He was a gifted community organiser deeply committed to social justice. He had a wide field of vision enabling him to see injustice in Aotearoa and injustice overseas are interconnected.

He brought so much light into the world and into the lives of many many people who came within his orbit locally and globally including ours.

He lived his life so others could have theirs.

Manuia lou malaga Roger. Our sincere condolences and aroha to Lyn and the Fowler whanau.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/roger-fowlers-legacy-and-the-polynesian-panthers-connection/

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Hāpai Te Hauora marks 30 years of Māori-led public health leadership

Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Hāpai Te Hauora is marking 30 years of Māori-led public health leadership, acknowledging its journey and partnerships. Established in 1996 as Hāpai Te Hauora Tapui Ltd, the organisation was formed to address a critical gap in public health, recognising Māori public health is holistic in nature and requires distinct approaches, leadership, and solutions. At a time of significant change within the health sector, Hāpai was created to strengthen Māori public health across the greater Auckland region.
Guided by the leadership and vision of Te Whānau o Waipareira, Raukura Hauora o Tainui, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Hāpai was established to ensure Māori communities, voices, values, and aspirations are central to public health responses and decision-making.
From the outset, Hāpai was established to provide dedicated Māori public health leadership, grounded in kaupapa Māori and focused on improving outcomes for whānau.
Over time, Hāpai has grown from a regional organisation into a national Māori public health leader, working across Aotearoa to influence policy, strengthen the Māori public health workforce, and support kaupapa that address the wider determinants of health for whānau, hapū, and iwi.
This includes leadership in areas such as SUDI prevention, alcohol harm reduction, Smokefree advocacy, community-led activations, policy submission support, and accessible policy explainers that help whānau engage with systems that impact their lives.
Chief Executive Jacqui Harema says the milestone reflects both celebration and responsibility.
“It is a real privilege to acknowledge 30 years of kaupapa Māori public health leadership,” says Harema. “This milestone reflects the strength of our foundations and the responsibility we hold to continue this mahi for future generations.”
The milestone will be acknowledged through a formal anniversary celebration in Tāmaki Makaurau, bringing together former staff, whānau, partners, and leaders to reflect on Hāpai’s journey and look ahead to the future of Māori-led public health grounded in Oranga Whenua, Oranga Tangata. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/hapai-te-hauora-marks-30-years-of-maori-led-public-health-leadership/

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Northland News – Get your pod squad ready

Source: Northland Regional Council

The Northland Regional Council has launched a new competition initiative aimed at reducing the spread of moth plant, a highly invasive pest plant throughout Taitokerau.
The competition encourages individuals or teams to collect moth plant pods, vines and seedlings, with cash prizes up for grabs.
Northland Regional Councillor and Chair of the Biodiversity and Biosecurity Working Party, Jack Craw says the point-based competition will help put the spotlight on this problematic pest and reduce its spread, helping to protect native species which often fall victim to the smothering vine.
“Not only do participants get the chance to win cash, they are also being environmental heros by helping us fight the war on weeds one pod or vine at a time.
Every pod collected will prevent up to 1000 seeds from being released and spread through the wind. Participants will also get extra points for pulling out moth plant seedlings and vines with the roots intact, preventing them from producing pods in future.”
The competition awards one point per pod collected and three points for every vine/seedling with roots intact. Cash prizes include $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place, plus several Prezzy Card spot prizes are also available.
Once registered, participants will be advised of the safety precautions to follow to protect their eyes, skin and clothes from the harmful moth plant sap, and how to dispose of the pods responsibly.
Local competitions of this nature have been previously organised by schools and community groups and NRC is excited to be part of a region-wide competition for Northland.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/northland-news-get-your-pod-squad-ready/