Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawai’ian) initiative for self-determination and self-governance formed in 1987, has sent a 17-member Indigenous delegation to Waitangi to stand in solidarity with Māori in defence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The delegation is present to “stand alongside Māori leadership, strengthen international solidarity, and affirm the deep genealogical and oceanic ties shared by Indigenous peoples of Moana Nui a Kanaloa”, a statement said.
Members of the delegation participated in a pōwhiri yesterday with iwi taketake at Te Tii Waitangi Mārae, marking a formal welcome and the beginning of their engagement alongside Māori communities and leaders.
Members of the delegation will speak at the Political Forum tent tomorrow, take part in the dawn ceremony on February 6, and march alongside their whānau in support of Te Tiriti.
The delegation has issued a formal Statement of Solidarity calling on the international community to watch developments in Aotearoa while “political actions continue to seek to weaken and reinterpret Te Tiriti and undermine Māori rangatiratanga”.
The Kanaka Maoli statement raised serious concern that recent New Zealand government actions and political rhetoric had “misrepresented efforts” to address structural discrimination as “racial privilege”.
The government actions had also enabled legislative initiatives seeking to “radically redefine” the meaning of Te Tiriti — triggering widespread national protests, multiple claims before the Waitangi Tribunal, judicial review proceedings, and large nationwide hui of Māori leaders.
‘World should know’ “The world should know what is happening in Aotearoa. As Kanaka Maoli, we know what it means to have our lands, waters, and political future decided without us,” said Healani Sonoda-Pale, spokesperson for Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi.
“We came to Waitangi so the world can see that Māori are not standing alone — and that Indigenous peoples across the Pacific are watching, standing together, and demanding that Te Tiriti o Waitangi be fully honored.
“Our struggles are connected, and our collective liberation as Indigenous peoples of Oceania are bound to one another.”
Police are appealing for information following a firearms incident in Napier today.
At around 3am this morning [Wednesday 4 February], Police responded to an incident where it was reported that a firearm had been discharged on Thackeray Street, Napier.
Police attended and found one person nearby, with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. They were transported to hospital in moderate condition.
The alleged offender fled the scene in a vehicle but was located later at a Barker Street address.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm and is due to appear in Napier District Court tomorrow.
Police would like to hear from any who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information around what happened, to please get in touch.
Information can be provided through 105, either online at 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105. Please reference file number 260204/2691.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Senior All Blacks have closed ranks around Ardie Savea after the superstar flanker bore the brunt of public backlash for Scott Robertson’s sacking.
Rumours of a Savea-led revolt against Robertson have been rife but firmly rejected by both players and NZ Rugby.
All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor staunchly hit back at the criticism of Savea.
“The way the narrative has been put onto Ards is totally unfair. When someone of his calibre goes away to a different comp, it’s easy to point fingers but that’s not the case at all. I know for a fact he wants the best for this team and he really respected Razor.”
Rumours of a Savea-led revolt against Robertson have been firmly rejected by both players and NZ Rugby.Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Patrick Tuipulotu said Savea was an easy target.
“He’s been used as a scapegoat where he’s just expressed his views in a review where everyone on the team does. I suppose it’s just easy to latch onto him because he is probably the best player in the world at the moment. So yeah, bit disappointing, but people are going to say what they say.
“It won’t bother him. He’s the type of guy just carry on.”
Fellow loose forward Wallace Sititi reiterated that Savea will be unfazed by the speculation.
“He’s my brother, so yeah it’s a bit disappointing, but the fans are passionate about their footy, but we all know who Ardie is as a person and that’s the main thing.”
Sititi said putting the politics aside, the reality of the saga is that a man has lost his job.
“We’ve got to acknowledge the human factor of it. The jersey demand’s the best but I just wish Razor and his family the best.”
Having worked closely with Robertson with the Crusaders, Taylor said it was a hard personal pill to swallow.
Codie Taylor playing against the Pumas in Nelson.Photosport
“It was pretty tough. Came as a bit of a shock. I have got a lot of respect for Ray as a person, as a coach, what he’s achieved and for with what’s happened I feel for him and his family but I suppose from a high performance point of view, they’ve made the decision and now it’s looking to the future.”
Taylor said Robertson was incredibly passionate about the position.
“I know he gave everything, and wanted to give everything for the All Blacks every week and he wanted the best of the players, and for a coach to be like that, I know he was good for the group and there’s just some things that probably haven’t shaped up the way they should have.”
Having reached out to Robertson to offer support, Taylor said the enigmatic Robertson was struggling.
“He’s not great as anyone would expect when you get the honour of his job and then it’s taken away, and he’s feeling it. New Zealand’s a small place, so I feel for him, I feel for Jane (his wife), and his kids.”
Tuipulotu said there was also a real feeling of indecision amongst the players.
“Especially with the head coach vacancy. I suppose it’s the chance for players to step up and keep the group gelled. A lot of unknown and interesting times. Not knowing what’s going to happen, that’s the uneasy bit. However, in this day and age, high performance sport [is] really cut-throat and it just shows how it cut-throat it is. So it just means we have to be on our game a bit more.”
The injured Blues lock said senior All Blacks have been sure to stay connected during the fallout.
Tuipulotu and other senior All Blacks have been in close communication after Robertson was fired.ActionPress
“After it was announced about Razor, we had a team Zoom to sort of make it clear what happened and what the decision was, and it was important for the playing group to focus on Super Rugby, play well, and then hopefully by the time Super Rugby’s done, there’s a new coach and something in place for them and for us to come into.”
As for whether change was needed?
“Yes and no. I think there’s always change for improvement and certainly probably felt there was improvement needed.”
Tuipulotu said players have shared their hopes for the new man to take the reins.
“There’s a list there, but none of us know who the shortlist is. So I think we’re sort of asked what we see in a coach, what we want in a coach personally. So I think that was delivered to a panel.”
He said the reaction to the news by the public was just part and parcel for the All Blacks.
“I think we just have some die-hard fans who want to see us do well and that’s all part of the game.”
Taylor reiterated this notion.
“I think it’s sort of expected, right? It’s a high performance environment. It’s pretty ruthless. A process was played out and this is the outcome of it, It’s been done now, we just have to look forward to what’s ahead and hopefully we get back on that stage and be dominant.”
While a turbulent time for the team, Sititi believes the All Blacks remain a force in world rugby.
“I think we’ve still got our aura. I’m going to back my brothers, and back the black jersey.”
Wallace Sititi.Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
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A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton.Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A man is in a critical condition after being shot by police in Hamilton.
About 10am, police swarmed a Hamilton street and closed off a hotel.
In Inspector Will Loughrin said police responded to reports of a vehicle driving “erratically” in Te Awamutu just before 9am.
Information suggested the driver was wanted by police in relation to other serious incidents.
When police caught up to the vehicle on Ulster Street in Hamilton, the man allegedly pointed a shotgun at police.
“Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.
“An officer then fired two shots at the offender.”
Medical assistance was given to the man immediately before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He was now in a moderate condition, Loughrin said, and his injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
“A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene,” Loughrin said.
“Thankfully, no police staff were injured in this incident.”
Loughrin said Ulster Street remains closed off from the Mill Street intersection and the public is urged to avoid the area.
“We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident.
“Police are conducting reassurance patrols around the area. The community can also expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days.”
Earlier, an RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers were going door-to-door speaking with people.
They declined to answer questions.
Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.
“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”
McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.
He said it wasn’t typical of the street.
“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.
Police were expected to speak to media on Wednesday afternoon.
Loughrin said a critical incident investigation was underway and the incident will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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The adult pūteketeke didn’t see the danger as they don’t perceive ducks as a threat, DOC says.Supplied / Department of Conservation
Three murderous mallards have been euthanised after preying on pūteketeke chicks in Canterbury’s Mackenzie basin.
Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers were shocked when a person sent in photos of three ducks hunting and killing freshly hatched native pūteketeke (Australasian crested grebe) chicks next to Lake Alexandrina, south of Lake Tekapo.
The pūteketeke garnered international attention in 2023 when comedian John Oliver successfully campaigned for it to win the Forest and Bird’s Bird of the Century crown.
In a press release, DOC principal biodiversity ranger Dean Nelson said staff were horrified to see graphic photos of the chicks being eaten alive, as it was unusual for ducks to prey on other birds.
“Mallard ducks usually eat plant material, with a little bit of protein from insects and snails during the breeding season,” he said.
“It was shocking to see them eating pūteketeke chicks. We went out there straight away and I observed three mallard ducks in the outlet creek where the grebe nests are.”
Nelson said the ducks were “actively scoping out the pūteketeke nests to see if they had chicks”.
Pūteketeke are classed as nationally vulnerable birds.Supplied / Department of Conservation
“The adult pūteketeke didn’t see the danger as they don’t perceive the ducks as a threat.”
Duck behaviour of this nature was unknown to DOC’s experts, with further concern it could spread, as ducks learnt from each other, Nelson said.
“There was a case which was referenced in a research paper from a Cambridge University scientist describing how a group of mallard ducks were attacking and eating the chicks of two common bird species in Romania in 2017. It claimed this was a world first and the ducks may have been searching for a source of protein before laying eggs and nesting,” he said.
The person who raised concerns did the right thing by calling the department and taking photos as evidence, Nelson said.
“This is a great example of people taking action for nature and looking out for our vulnerable species. While some people think the pūteketeke is introduced because of its name (the Australasian crested grebe), the reality is they’re native and are classed as nationally vulnerable,” he said.
“We want the public to be really engaged with nature. People can be our eyes and ears out ‘naturing’ and that’s fantastic for us, as our rangers can’t be everywhere.”
Campers and boaties around Canterbury’s popular Lake Benmore shoreline were asked to look out for pūteketeke over the summer period last December following reports of nests being disturbed at the Ōhau C campground.
Many nests neighboured the boat ramp and spread out around the lake shore.
The pūteketeke colony had 40 to 50 nests annually for the last five breeding seasons and birds had raised their young much later than usual in the outlet creek next to Lake Alexandrina.
DOC staff had caught the three ducks in question with nets and removed them from the site and humanely euthanised them.
Staff were also heading out again on Wednesday to check no other mallard ducks had repeated the behaviour.
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Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors.
Untreated wastewater is being discharged into the sea and that may continue for some time, Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty said.
“This is a serious situation and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period,” he said.
Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant on Wednesday.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Dougherty strongly advised the public to stay away from south coast beaches, and said a rāhui would be placed over the affected area.
“We will have boots on the ground today, with our customer teams distributing information about public health and advice.
“An environmental team will be undertaking water quality testing. More information will be provided at lunchtime today. This is a complex incident, and all necessary resources are being utilised,” he said.
Dougherty said it was unacceptable.
A sign warning of a sewage discharge from Moa Point.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“We apologise to the public, local community and our iwi partners for the public health and environmental impact caused.”
The mechanical failure began at 1am on Wednesday.
Fire and emergency shift manager Murray Dunbar said three fire trucks responded to a fire alarm activation there about 12.40 am.
The crews reported they were unable to access the lower building due to flooding and they were going to wait for a building representative to be contacted and respond, Dunbar said.
The Moa Point problem followed two other wastewater discharge notices on Tuesday night, which were caused by heavy rain.
Wellington Water’s Moa Point treatment plant (file photo).Wellington Water
Partially treated wastewater was discharged into Wellington’s Karori Stream at 10.45pm on Tuesday, which flows into the sea on the south coast.
About half an hour before that, fully treated sewage was released at 10.18pm into Waiwhetū Stream in Lower Hutt, which flows into the sea near Petone beach.
Water monitoring body Land, Air, Water Aotearoa advised people to stay out of the sea for two or three days after heavy rain.
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Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
More intense marine heatwaves as a result of climate change could lead to the mass loss of a sponge species found around Aotearoa New Zealand, a new study suggests.
The study found a temperature increase of just 1°C above previous marine heatwave peaks could cause the widespread death ofRowella lancifera, a sponge common in shallow waters around the coast.
“We know marine heatwaves are already affecting sponge populations, but our latest research shows the effects could be much more severe as heatwaves intensify,” said Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and study co-author.
Marine heatwaves are increasing as the climate warms. In 2022, a marine heatwave waslinked to the mass bleachingof more than 50 millionCymbastella lamellatasponges in Fiordland andcaused almost half to die.
“In previous marine heatwaves, most shallow-water sponge species actually survived. However, in our recent lab tests we found a 95 percent mortality rate when theRowella lanciferasponge was exposed to slighty warmer temperatures than those recorded in 2022,” said Professor Bell.
The highest water temperature used in the lab tests was 21.5°C, just 1°C warmer than the top temperature recorded during the 2022 marine heatwave in Fiordland.
The study involved 96Rowella lanciferasponge specimens. They were collected from sponge populations living at two different water depths so researchers could assess whether depth affected the animal’s response to rising temperatures.
“We saw the same strong stress response, regardless of the water depth at which the sponge had been living. Our results suggest we’re only a 1°C increase away from losing numerous populations of this sponge—and very likely other sponge species too,” said co-author Manon Broadribb, a PhD candidate at Te Herenga Waka.
Given the key role sponges play in the marine environment, the widespread loss of sponge populations would have major flow-on effects, she said.
“Sponges cover up to 70 percent of our rocky reefs, providinghabitat for other species and recycling nutrients in the water column that support marine life.With marine heatwaves becoming more intense and occuring more often, there’s a very real risk we could see the mass loss of sponges with ecosystem-wide effects.”
The growing number of people in work is good news for New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
“Stats NZ data released today shows an additional 15,000 people got jobs in the final three months of last year.
“In addition, the hours worked and the number of people actively seeking work also increased. Together with other recent surveys showing rising business and consumer confidence, these are signs of a growing economy in which people see increased opportunity.
“The unemployment rate increased 0.1 per cent in the quarter to 5.4 per cent, fractionally below the 5.5 per cent rate forecast by the Treasury in its December Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.
“Obviously, we would prefer the rate to be lower still but the underlying details are positive and economists are expecting the unemployment rate to fall this year as the economy recovers.”
Nicola Willis says it is also pleasing to see that the number of young people not in education, training or employment declined from 13.7 to 13.2 per cent in the quarter.
“Many Kiwis are still doing it tough and there is heaps to do. But all the signs are that the steps the Government has taken to fix the basics and build the future are making it easier for businesses to invest, innovate, grow and employ more people.”
Please attribute to Inspector Will Loughrin, acting Waikato District Commander:
A man is in Waikato Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot at by Police in Hamilton this morning.
Police responded to reports of a vehicle driving erratically on Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu just before 9am.
Initial information suggested the driver was wanted by Police in relation to prior serious incidents.
Police monitored the vehicle’s movements, and deployed units to Ulster Street, where the vehicle was located trying to leave a carpark.
Officers stopped the vehicle from leaving, before the man presented a shotgun.
Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.
An officer then fired two shots at the offender.
Officers provided immediate medical assistance, and St John transported the man to hospital, where he remains in a moderate condition. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene.
Thankfully, no Police staff were injured in this incident.
Ulster Street remains closed from the Mill Street intersection. Traffic is being diverted down Richmond Street.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area, as road closures are expected to remain in place for several hours.
We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident.
Police are conducting reassurance patrols around the area.
The community can also expect to see an increased Police presence in the coming days.
Support will be provided to the attending officers.
A critical incident investigation into the incident is under way and the incident will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), as is standard procedure for any incident involving a Police shooting.
Wellington Phoenix player Pia Vlok has been called up to the Football Ferns for the first time.photosport
Fresh from scoring Wellington Phoenix’s first hattrick in the A-League Women, Pia Vlok will make her senior debut with the Football Ferns as the team begins the qualification process for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Head coach Michael Mayne has named two new faces in the 23-player squad for this month’s qualifying journey in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Seventeen year-old Vlok, who captaining New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last year, is joined by Newcastle Jets’ standout Charlotte Lancaster in a new cycle for the Football Ferns.
Lancaster is having a breakout A-League season and has scored three goals in eight games from midfield.
Goalkeeper Maddie Iro is also selected as part of the initial squad for the first time after joining as an injury replacement for October’s games in Mexico and the USA.
“It is great to get this group together ahead of an important year and start the journey to achieve the first of our goals, qualifying for Brazil in 2027,” Mayne said.
“This tour presents some different challenges, especially with the global nature of our squad and players both in the middle of competitive seasons or in preseason and looking to establish themselves, so we have had to account for a number of factors when selecting the final 23.
“I am confident we have the right balance of those who were available for selection and a group that are able to get straight to work when we arrive in Honiara to secure our qualification for the semi and finals back in New Zealand.”
Mayne said he wanted competition to be high in every position but was also working to ensure players “can thrive mentally and physically at this level with the high demands to perform as a cohesive team”.
“What has been exciting to see, and aligns with our strategy to build capability, is seeing players performing well and consistently in their leagues, so rewarding Pia and Charlotte, who have earned call ups after making a big impact in the A-League Women, is great to be able to do.”
The Football Ferns will begin their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying journey, as part of Group A at the Oceania Qualifiers, on 27 February against Samoa, before facing hosts Solomon Islands on 2 March and American Samoa on 5 March.
All games will be played at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The top two sides in Group A will then take on the top two from Group B, played in Fiji, in the Semi-Final and Final of the Oceania Qualifiers, played in New Zealand, to secure a place in Brazil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
The full squad is:
Liz Anton (25 caps/0 goals) Canberra United, Australia
Mackenzie Barry (22/1) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Hannah Blake (8/0) Durham FC, England
Kelli Brown (9/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia
Claudia Bunge (38/0) Melbourne Victory, Australia
Milly Clegg (20/2) Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Manaia Elliott (5/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Victoria Esson (31/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Michaela Foster (30/1) Durham FC, England
Maya Hahn (8/1) FC Viktoria Berlin, Germany
Maddie Iro (0/0) Hills United, Australia
Deven Jackson (7/0) Melbourne City, Australia
Grace Jale (35/8) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Katie Kitching (23/6) Sunderland AFC, England
Charlotte Lancaster (debut) Newcastle Jets, Australia
Meikayla Moore (75/4) Calgary Wild, Canada
Emma Pijnenburg (8/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Indiah-Paige Riley (34/3) Crystal Palace, England
Alina Santos (1/0) University of Denver, USA
Rebekah Stott (108/4) Melbourne City, Australia
Pia Vlok (debut) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Lara Wall (2/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Wisnewski (5/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
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NZ Rugby (NZR) has confirmed today that Dane Coles is the recently retired player on its appointments panel for the next All Black coach.
NZR had previously announced the five-person panel would include Board Chair David Kirk, 132-test All Black Keven Mealamu, interim CEO Steve Lancaster and former Black Sox coach Don Tricker.
Coles comes back into the All Black environment after retiring in 2023, having played 90 tests over 11 seasons.
The panel will find a successor to Scott Robertson, who was sensationally sacked as All Black coach last month.
Robertson guided the team to 20 wins in 27 tests over two seasons, however Kirk said that the NZR board had concerns over the trajectory of the team before next year’s World Cup in Australia.
The leading candidates appear to be Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, after the confirmations that Joe Schmidt will stay in his role as Wallaby coach, and Vern Cotter’s move to the Queensland Reds next season.
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New Plymouth mayor Max Brough previously said the removal or modification of the cycleway would be one of his first jobs.ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
The mayor of New Plymouth has revealed low-profile rubber lane dividers will replace the city’s controversial concrete cycleway separators – nicknamed Tim Tams due to their resemblance to the popular biscuit.
In a video briefing Max Brough said the rubber lane dividers – he’d branded Mallowpuffs – would replace the Tim Tams along a stretch of Devon Street West.
“We’re going from Tim Tams to Mallowpuffs. The concept is that we’re going to go away from those horrible concrete blocks that are causing so much stress and the new ones are going to be put down and I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Brough campaigned on pulling up the Tim Tams and wanted to turn it into a community event.
He apologised for how long it was taking.
“The Tim Tam battle could’ve been accelerated faster but we’ve got where we’ve got to and it’s largely down to the cost.”
The Transport Agency paid for and installed the $3.8 million cycleway and council staff had estimated it would cost $1.6 million to remove them adding 1.1 percent to rates.
Brough said councillors had baulked at the expense during a December meeting that recommended they remain for at least nine months.
“That was the appetite in the chamber on the day if we’re going to rip all of that out and go back [to what we had] is it a retrograde step and then the cost that was looked at it came back as too much to be doing in a hurry.”
Some motorists complained they had driven into the concrete lane dividers causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to their vehicles, but the cycleway was popular with some bike riders and an audit by engineering firm Becca found it had improved safety along Devon Street West which feeds onto State Highway 45.
Brough said NZTA was co-operating with council and a design had been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West.
That work would start at the end of March to coincide with the resealing of the road.
Some carparks would be reinstated and there was an information evening for planned residents.
Max Brough says NZTA are co-operating with council and a design has been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West.ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
Brough did not clarify what the ‘Mallowpuffs’ would be made of in the video briefing, but he told the Taranaki Daily New they would be low-profile rubber dividers about 80mm high and 2m-long.
Motorists would be able to drive over them.
The Tim Tams were more than 100mm high.
In the video briefing, Brough was not clear whether the ‘Mallowpuff’ solution was a trial or intended to be used along the entire length of the cycleway.
In a statement, council officers said it was only a trial.
“Several different types of separators as an alternative to the current concrete structures, will be trailed, along with a shared path.
“We will be monitoring the trial area and the rest of the corridor and report back to council in September. This will inform the elected members’ decision on what will happen next.”
Tim Tam Alley was the subject of two presentations due to be heard at the first meeting of the council’s new Public Engagement Committee.
The mayor established the committee to give the public a greater opportunity to speak directly with councillors and influence council decisions.
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A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton.Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition as police swarm a Hamilton street and close off a hotel.
A motel staff member inside the cordon along Ulster Street and Abbotsford Street in the suburb of Whitiora said they heard gunshots about 10am on Wednesday.
St John said they were called to the scene just before 10am and had taken a critically injured person to Waikato Hospital.
A police spokesperson said cordons were in place while they responded to an incident but did not provide further details.
Libby Kirkby-McLeod
An RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers are going door-to-door speaking with people.
They declined to answer questions.
A resident who wanted to go home had been told by police he was not able to at this time.
Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.
“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”
McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.
He said it wasn’t typical of the street.
“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.
Police were expected to speak to media about what happened on Wednesday afternoon.
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
The South Australian state election will be held on March 21. Preferential voting will be used to elect members for all 47 single-member lower house seats. This is the same system as used for federal House of Representatives elections.
Some Australian conservatives are advocating Australia return to first past the post (FPTP), but a conservative government introduced preferential voting in 1918 to stop vote splitting between two conservative parties. Right-wing preferences helped the Coalition maintain its grip on power from 1949 to 1972. Preferential voting is far superior to FPTP.
After Labor’s landslide at the May 2025 federal election, some right-wingers have complained that preferential voting gave Labor too many seats. They want Australia to revert to FPTP, where there are no preferences. In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.
National primary votes at the election were 34.6% Labor, 31.8% Coalition, 12.2% Greens, 6.4% One Nation and 15.0% for all Others. After preferences, Labor defeated the Coalition by 55.2–44.8 and won 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats (63% of seats). In both two-party and seat share, this was Labor’s biggest win since 1943.
While Labor’s margin expanded after preferences, they won the national primary vote by 2.8%. Analyst Kevin Bonham said that on primary votes, Labor would have won 86 seats to 57 for the Coalition (actual 94 to 43). Labor’s primary votes were much more efficiently distributed than the Coalition’s.
Labor won a disproportionate seat share at the election, but this occurs with single-member systems, particularly with a blowout result. Those complaining about Labor’s big majority should advocate switching to proportional representation, not FPTP.
The United Kingdom 2024 election was held using FPTP. Labour won 411 of the 650 seats (63% of seats) on 33.7% of the national vote. This occurred primarily because Labour’s vote share was ten points ahead of the second placed Conservatives.
A brief history of preferential voting in Australia
Prior to 1918, federal elections used FPTP. In 1918, there was a byelection for Swan that was contested by the Nationalists (a predecessor of the Liberals), the Country Party (a predecessor of the Nationals) and Labor.
Labor won this byelection with 34.4%, to 31.4% for the Country Party and 29.6% for the Nationalists. With the combined vote for the two conservative options adding to 61.0%, it was clear a different system would have given the Country Party the win.
After this byelection, the Nationalist government introduced preferential voting, resulting in Labor losing the Corangamite byelection in 1918 to a Victorian Farmers candidate by 56.3–43.7, despite Labor winning the primary vote by 42.5–26.4 with 22.9% for the Nationalists.
Originally preferential voting was introduced to allow the two conservative parties (now Liberals and Nationals) to compete against each other without splitting the conservative vote and giving Labor wins it didn’t deserve. There are still “three-cornered” contests now where the Liberals, Nationals and Labor all contest the same seat.
This Wikipedia page gives national primary votes for Labor, the Coalition and all Others, the Labor and Coalition estimated two-party share and House seats won by Labor, Coalition and others at elections from 1910 to 2022.
Until the 1990s, the combined primary votes for the major parties was around 90% in most elections. This means that other than in three-cornered contests, preferences had limited impact. There were high Other votes in 1931, ‘34, ’40 and ’43, with the first three cases due to a Labor split (New South Wales Lang Labor).
In the first two of these cases, Labor was far behind on primary votes and made up some ground on preferences, but the Coalition still won easily. In 1940, Labor trailed by 3.7% on primary votes but won the two-party vote by 50.3–49.7. However, the Coalition formed government with the support of two independents until those independents sided with Labor in 1941.
In 1943, there was a split within the Coalition, and other preferences favoured the Coalition, reducing Labor’s primary vote lead of 26.9 points to 16.4 points after preferences.
In 1955, a Labor faction split from Labor and became the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), directing preferences to the Coalition. From 1955 until the DLP’s demise in 1974, it dominated the third party vote, and so overall preferences in this period assisted the Coalition.
The DLP helped the Coalition to have the longest period of one-party government from 1949 to 1972. Labor was estimated to have won the two-party vote in 1954, 1961 and 1969, but the Coalition won a majority of House seats.
Since 1987, preferences have favoured Labor, allowing it to overturn primary vote deficits to win the two-party vote in 1987, 2010 and 2022. First the Democrats and then the Greens assisted Labor after preferences. One Nation’s first rise at the 1998 election didn’t stop overall preferences from favouring Labor.
The only time Labor formed government while losing the two-party vote occurred in 1990, when they won a majority of seats despite losing by 50.1–49.9. Labor lost the election in 1998, even though it won the two-party vote by 51.0–49.0.
Some recent polls have One Nation surging into second place behind Labor, ahead of the Coalition. On current polling, there are more right-wing sources of preferences than left-wing sources, so overall preference flows could favour the right at the next federal election, whether it’s One Nation or the Coalition that benefits most.
In early elections, some seats were often uncontested, meaning only one candidate nominated for that seat. No votes were counted in such seats, so national primary votes will be distorted by the exclusion of these seats.
Why preferential voting is superior to FPTP
At the 2025 election, Labor’s Ali France defeated Liberal leader Peter Dutton in his seat of Dickson by 56.0–44.0. But Dutton had more primary votes than France, winning 34.7% of the primary vote to 33.6% for France, with 12.2% for a teal independent, 7.6% for the Greens and 4.2% for One Nation.
FPTP gives a massive benefit to the side of politics (left or right) that has its vote more concentrated with one party or candidate. In the two 1918 byelections, the left vote was concentrated with Labor, and in Dickson 2025 the right vote was concentrated with Dutton. Preferential voting is far fairer by allowing all candidates’ votes to eventually count.
In FPTP, many voters need to choose between supporting the candidate they most prefer even if that candidate is uncompetitive, and voting for the candidate best placed to keep someone they dislike out. Votes for uncompetitive candidates are effectively wasted in FPTP.
Labor may have won Dickson under FPTP as some of the teal and Greens voters would probably have voted for Labor tactically to beat Dutton. But voters shouldn’t need to make these choices.
Parliaments require majorities to function. The party winning the most seats does not necessarily form government, for example Labour formed government after the 2017 New Zealand election even though the conservative National won the most seats.
In the UK, the Conservatives needed to form alliances with other parties after winning the most seats but not a majority at the 2010 and 2017 elections. Preferential voting is closer to parliamentary systems than FPTP.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Three men have been sentenced to the life in prison for the murder of West Auckland teenager Jayden Mamfredos-Nair nearly three years ago.Supplied / NZ Police
Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.
Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.
After disappearing in April 2023, 19-year-old Jayden Mamfredos-Nair’s body was found on a Dairy Flat property nine months later.
Police determined he had been a victim of foul play.
At the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, patched member Zak Kameta received a minimum period of imprisonment of 18 years.
Prospect Matthew Snaylam and their associate Hassan Al Fadhli both received a minimum period of imprisonment of 17 years.
Police Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said the death had placed a heavy toll on the victim’s family and he hoped they finally had some closure.
Police issued a statement on behalf of Mamfredos-Nair’s mother Maria who said the sentencing marked the end of a long legal journey, but “the ongoing journey of grieving and healing continues”.
“This crime has had a devastating permanent impact on our entire family, his friends and the community who loved him. The grief, the heartbreak, the devastation – it will never go away.”
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News that the NZ government is in talks with the Trump administration on a critical minerals deal is drawing fierce criticism from Greenpeace Aotearoa, who warn of unchecked environmental destruction, Te Tiriti violations, and Aotearoa becoming a pawn in the US’s quest for further geopolitical control.
Theconfirmation that NZ is in discussions with the UScomes just weeks after Trump issued a proclamation that “foreign trading partners” who did not sign deals on critical minerals supply could face trade penalties.
Russel Norman, Executive Director of Greenpeace Aotearoa says New Zealand must resist being pushed into a deal that will expedite environmental destruction in Aotearoa.
“The Trump administration is showing absolute disregard for everything other than their own agenda and greed. Pacific Peoples and over 40 nations have rejected the idea of mining the ocean, but here’s the US issuing ultimatums trying to force the start of this industry.
“Clearly, the will of Indigenous Peoples and Pacific nations do not matter in the Trump administration’s resource and power grab.”
Trump’s push for a critical minerals deal is just the latest in a series of moves to expedite mining the ocean.
Last year, the Presidentsigned an executive orderto accelerate the exploitation of seabed minerals. Since then, the US has also signed deals with the Cook Islands for mining exploration and sent an expedition vessel to the region. They are also forging ahead with plans to open up US Pacific territories such as American Samoa to mining.
“The US is pressuring every nation they can, including us here in Aotearoa, to bend to their will. But resistance to mining the seafloor here and around the Pacific is strong. People are coming together to fight for a future where the ocean is protected, not pillaged to line Global North pockets.”
Norman warns that NZ is being used as a pawn in Trump’s game.
“New Zealand must not be responsible for helping open up Pandora’s Box on seabed mining. The ocean is too precious to mine, the people of this region depending on its health and integrity for survival.”
At home, Luxon’s government has been heavily criticised since 2023 for trying to Fast Track mining projects across Aotearoa, including a controversial seabed mine proposed for Taranaki. There, ‘critical mineral’ vanadium – described on Trump’s list – is thought to be in large supply.
“Who is this seabed mine for?” says Norman.
“Iwi in Taranaki have repeatedly rejected plans by Trans Tasman Resources to open this destructive seabed mine in their waters. They have said no, as have the rest of the community, local councils, the courts, and the fishing industry.
“Now we hear that the NZ government is in closed room conversations with Trump to supply minerals – some of which are found at this site. Is the NZ government going to allow the waters of the west coast to be trashed, fish stocks impacted, Indigenous Rights violated – to fuel the US’s dreams?
“What happens here in the waters of Aotearoa should not be dictated by the US, not when tangata whenua and the communities who will be most affected have rejected the project time and time again.”
A week ago, the US took another step to make it easier for deep sea mining companies to exploit the ocean –combining exploratory and commercial applications into a single process, also reducing environmental reviews. The following day, The Metals Company USA applied for a consolidated permit to explore and mine the Pacific.
WorkSafe has updated its enforcement policies and processes to give businesses more clarity about how it makes enforcement decisions and allow them to address and remedy safety issues faster, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden announced today.
“On my health and safety roadshow I heard concerns about WorkSafe’s approach to enforcement. In particular that WorkSafe can be heavy-handed in punishment when something does go wrong, but not always sufficiently supportive in providing advice on how to manage risks in the first place,” says Ms van Velden.
The changes include a clear expectation that WorkSafe actively considers other enforcement options before recommending prosecution.
“New options such as formal warnings and pre-charge enforceable undertakings allow businesses who show a willingness to remedy issues and improve workplace safety to do so quickly without lengthy court processes.”
These alternatives are an option where a business accepts responsibility, demonstrates a commitment to remedying issues, and can deliver tangible improvements to prevent harm. This marks a shift from the previous approach, where there were fewer enforcement options and prosecution was a primary tool. Prosecution will remain an option for cases where there has clearly been significant or negligent disregard for health and safety law, repeated non-compliance, or where serious harm has occurred and deterrence is necessary.
“In my Letter of Expectations in May 2025, I asked WorkSafe to improve the consistency of its enforcement decisions and ensure its policies focus on clear breaches and causation, while aligning with the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines. I’m pleased to see the progress WorkSafe has made,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.
“I expect these changes will sharpen WorkSafe’s focus on prosecuting cases of genuine recklessness or negligent disregard of health and safety law. Additionally, I have set an expectation that WorkSafe improves its provision of guidance so that businesses and organisations understand what their obligations are in the first place.”
Training for WorkSafe’s frontline staff will be rolled out to support the consistent application of these changes.
“WorkSafe plays a critical role in keeping New Zealanders safe at work. These improvements strengthen trust in the regulator and ensure enforcement decisions are made fairly,” Minister van Velden says.
In the past 12 months, seed oils have become a divisive topic, with online claims they are “toxic”, “inflammatory”, and cause chronic health conditions.
When United States secretary of health and human services, Robert F Kennedy Jr announced the new US dietary guidelines on 7 January, he promised to “evangelise real food”.
The 2025-2030 guidelines included a new food pyramid putting protein, saturated fats and whole foods in the spotlight.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has claimed seed oils are toxic.
ANDREW HARNIK / AFP
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Diggers working at the burnt-out Bromley wastewater treatment plant. Christchurch City Council supplied pictures and video of work to remove rot from inside its filters on 10 June 2022.Christchurch City Council
Bromley community leader Jackie Simons has made an emotional plea for more help to be provided to those affected by the foul stench pouring from a sewage plant.
Simons, who sits on the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board, made the plea at a Christchurch City Council meeting on Wednesday morning.
Offensive odours have plagued the city’s eastern suburbs after a fire damaged key infrastructure at the Bromley Wastewater Plant in 2021.
Bromley Wastewater Plant.
Complaints about the odour have spiked recently.
Simons told councillors the situation facing locals had now reached crisis point.
“The wastewater plant still stinks. It’s always stunk. It’s been stinking for the last four years,” she said.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve seen an influx of horrendous smell across the whole city. A crisis has come and everyone is in crisis mode.”
The Canterbury Regional Council had received more than 2000 reports about the plant in this year alone.
One Bromley resident told Morning Report the stench from the city’s sewage plant was so bad it had left her coughing up blood.
The city council said the recent heavy rain had affected the health of the oxidation pond and it was using all available tools to improve water quality.
An emotional and frustrated Simons told elected members she was regularly fielding complaints from the community.
There was a perception the council would have acted sooner if it was happening to more upmarket parts of the city, she said.
“When they come to me and they say ‘if this was happening in Fendalton you would’ve fixed it by now’, ‘the council doesn’t care about us in the east’, ‘they don’t give a toss’, ‘they’re not listening’, ‘when are they going to fix it?’ How am I supposed to tell them that you do care when it took the rest of the city to smell it to stand up and show that you cared.”
The council needed to provide more on-the-ground support for those worst affected, Simons said.
“I’d like to see those people asked ‘what do you need?’. Because a gift basket is no good to someone who needs a lift to the doctor. A supermarket voucher is no good to someone who can’t pay for a prescription,” she said.
“They can’t open their windows, they can’t hang their washing out, they have physical symptoms of ill-health, they have respiratory issues, they have depression, they have mental health challenges because of this situation. They are in crisis every day.”
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