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Pharmac funds lifechanging cystic fibrosis medication for all ages

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to fund Trikafta and Alyftrek for children with cystic fibrosis, regardless of their age from 1 April 2026.

Beginning tomorrow Pharmac will: 

Widen funded access to Trikafta for all children with eligible diagnosis (currently only funded for children 6 years and older)
Widen funded access to Kalydeco for everyone with eligible diagnosis
Fund access to a new treatment, Alyftrek 

“In January Pharmac consulted the public on this proposal. The feedback was positive. So from tomorrow Pharmac are funding those medicines,” Mr Seymour says.  

“Doctors will use their clinical judgement to prescribe these medicines to any patient who would benefit. 

“These treatments are lifechanging for Kiwis living with cystic fibrosis and their families. Children can now access to these lifechanging treatments as soon as clinically appropriate. Cystic fibrosis can cause harm very early in life, so waiting to meet age-based eligibility criteria is not an option. 

“In 2023 Pharmac funded Trikafta for children with cystic fibrosis who were 6 years or older in 2023. This left out children under 6 years old with cystic fibrosis. Parents had to choose; wait until children were old enough, pay hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for treatment privately, or move overseas. 

“This has been made possible through Pharmac’s commitment to working with the cystic fibrosis community. It is a great example of what is possible when Pharmac works alongside patients. 

“We’re making the system work better for the people it serves. When people can access their medicines easily, they stay healthier for longer. It also reduces pressure on other parts of the health system.”

Pharmac’s funding decision can be found here: 
https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2026-03-decision-to-widen-access-to-trikafta-and-kalydeco-and-fund-alyftrek-for-the-treatment-of-cystic-fibrosis

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/31/pharmac-funds-lifechanging-cystic-fibrosis-medication-for-all-ages/

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David Tamihere’s double-murder convictions quashed

Source: Radio New Zealand

David Tamihere in 2018. RNZ

David Tamihere has had his convictions quashed, 36 years after he was found guilty of murdering two Swedish backpackers in the Coromandel.

In a decision released on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has directed a retrial but says it is up to the Crown to decide whether one should be held.

The court says Tamihere’s 1990 trial was unfair because of evidence from a prison informant later convicted of perjury.

And, it says the Crown case had changed so radically since then that it has not actually been tested by a jury.

Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen were killed in the Coromandel in 1989. Supplied

The decision overturns a 2024 Court of Appeal decision that found there was enough other evidence that the conviction should stand.

Tamihere was convicted of the murder of Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen in 1990 after they were last seen in Thames in 1989. He has been out of jail since 2010.

More to come…

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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/2026/03/31/david-tamiheres-double-murder-convictions-quashed/

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Tourism minister unhappy with MP’s shot at taxpayer spending on football

Source: Radio New Zealand

English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur is set to play Auckland FC in a friendly at Eden Park in July. JAKUB PORZYCKI / AFP

The Tourism and Hospitality Minister intends to have “a chat” with ACT’s tourism spokesperson after he criticised the government’s funding of a football game between two “billionaire-owned” clubs.

English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur is set to play Auckland FC in a friendly at Eden Park in July.

The match, part of the International Football Festival, will be supported through the government’s $70 million major events and tourism package, although the government will not disclose the specific funding amount for the event for commercial reasons.

ACT’s tourism spokesperson Todd Stephenson took to social media to criticise the funding.

“Why are taxpayers subsidising an event featuring billionaire owned football clubs?” he posted.

“Tottenham and Auckland FC aren’t charities. They’re backed by owners worth billions. Good luck to them, but they don’t need help from Kiwi taxpayers.”

Stephenson said the package was “just a slush fund”, accusing politicians of “picking winners and spraying public money around in the hope of a headline”.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said New Zealanders were “wildly excited” about Tottenham coming to New Zealand, and she would speak to Stephenson.

“People are entitled to their views. Normally, I would have thought in coalitions that we talk to each other about it, so I’ll be making sure I have a chat to that MP,” she said.

“I’m the sort of person who has conversations to someone’s face. If you’ve got something to say, bring it on.”

The match would be the first time a top-flight English club has played in New Zealand since 2014, when Newcastle United and West Ham United both toured.

Upston was not concerned that the marketing of Spurs as “Premier League icons” was in jeopardy if the club was relegated to the Championship, English football’s second tier.

Tottenham currently sits in 17th place on the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone with seven games still to go.

“Oh look, I think AFC, for them to be playing a team of that calibre will be exciting, will be great for the fans,” Upston said.

“And I think playing it on a Sunday afternoon is a really good move, because we know that football is a really big family sport. So I think it’ll be really positive.”

Louise Upston. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Stephenson’s post also said that previous visits from the likes of West Ham, Wrexham, Boca Juniors, and LA Galaxy did not need a “government hand out.”

But Upston said the point of the fund, which was also being used to support Robbie Williams’ upcoming tour and State of Origin, was to help New Zealand compete harder to attract big events.

Asked why the government could fund $70m for major events, but only $15m for food banks in the last Budget, Upston said the package was about increasing economic activity and economic growth, which would boost incomes.

“When you provide more customers, and support business activity and economic activity, then actually you further down the track stop having to fund things like food banks.”

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/2026/03/31/tourism-minister-unhappy-with-mps-shot-at-taxpayer-spending-on-football/

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Independent review finds electrical wiring advice was sound

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

An independent review has confirmed WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team gave technically sound and justified advice on last year’s regulatory amendments on electrical wiring.

The changes support modern energy systems, including renewable generation, battery storage, backup power, and electric vehicle charging, and enable safer, more resilient electricity supply.

WorkSafe initiated an independent review in response to sector concerns about the switching of earthing and Protective Earth and Neutral (PEN) conductors. The review was conducted by UK‑based chartered engineer Graham Kenyon, an electrical safety expert with 30 years’ experience. He found Energy Safety’s advice was technically justifiable overall and that any residual risks are real, known, and manageable through clear guidance and appropriate technical standards. Many risks are already partially mitigated through existing regulations, licensing requirements, and product standards.

“This independent review confirms our evidence-led approach to electrical safety regulation,” says WorkSafe’s national manager of High Hazards, Energy and Public Safety Darren Handforth.

Switching of earthing and PEN conductors has been permitted in New Zealand in limited circumstances since at least 1961.

“The review also confirms that the regulatory change was necessary to keep pace with modern energy technologies, while being clear about where further guidance is required to manage risk. We advise electricians to avoid installing switching or similar devices in earthing or PEN conductors until the further guidance is published.”

Energy Safety will now focus on the next phase of work. This includes developing and supporting industry guidance on supply changeover and island‑mode operation. It also involves clarifying expectations for switching arrangements, and working with standards bodies and sector partners on appropriate technical standards for emerging technologies such as open‑PEN detection devices.

The Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2025 allow electricians to use either the 2007 or 2018 wiring standard (AS/NZS 3000) until 12 November 2026. After that date, the 2018 standard becomes mandatory.

Energy Safety is the regulator for ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas in New Zealand.

Read the review

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/31/independent-review-finds-electrical-wiring-advice-was-sound/

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Exploding head syndrome: the surprisingly common condition with a terrifying name

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flavie Waters, Research Professor, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia

Have you ever been drifting off to sleep when suddenly you hear what sounds like a gunshot, a door slamming, or an explosion inside your head? You jolt awake, heart pounding, sit upright in bed, but the room is silent.

Nothing has happened – but it felt very real.

This experience has a dramatic name: exploding head syndrome.

Despite the alarming name, it’s not dangerous, not painful, and not a sign something is wrong with the brain.

What is it?

Exploding head syndrome is a type of sleep disorder known as a parasomnia.

Parasomnias are unusual experiences that occur while sleeping or during transitions between sleep and wakefulness.

In exploding head syndrome, a person “hears” a sudden noise that seem to originate from deep inside the head. It’s a sensory perception generated by the brain rather than an external sound.

It typically occurs when drifting in or out of sleep, most commonly when a person is drowsy and about to fall asleep.

People commonly describe a sudden bang or loud metallic noise, gunshots, an explosion, crashing waves, buzzing electricity, a door slamming, or fireworks.

Exploding head syndrome can be intensely frightening. The loud noise may be accompanied by other sensations, including a brief stab of pain in the head (though it’s normally painless), flashes of light, out-of-body sensations, or the sensation of electricity coursing through the body.

The episode only lasts for a split second or a few seconds, and typically disappears completely once the person wakes up. Some people experience only a single episode, while others may have occasional episodes or brief clusters before the condition settles.

Because the experience is so sudden and unusual, many fear they’ve had a stroke or seizure, or that something catastrophic has happened. Others interpret it as a supernatural or ominous event.

The distress is caused not by pain, but by confusion and the body’s alarm response. The brain is partially awake, disoriented, and briefly activates the fight-or-flight system.

What causes it?

We don’t know the exact cause, but researchers have proposed several theories.

Because episodes occur during the transition into and out of sleep, they may be related to the same processes that produce what are known as hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid sensory experiences you can get while falling asleep).

As we fall asleep, different parts of the brain gradually switch off in a coordinated sequence.

In exploding head syndrome, that process may be linked to the shutting down of neural systems that inhibit auditory sensory processing. Your brain may end up interpreting this as a loud sound.

A related theory proposes a brief reduction in activity of the brainstem, particularly the reticular activating system (which is involved in regulating transitions between wakefulness and sleep).

Exploding head syndrome typically does not involve pain, and is therefore different from headaches and migraines.

The syndrome’s distinct features also makes epilepsy an unlikely explanation for most people.

How common is it?

Exploding head syndrome is more common than you may think.

It occurs in at least 10% of the population, and around 30% of people will experience it at least once in their lifetime.

It can occur at any age, often after the age of 50. It may be slightly more common in women, but we don’t know why.

Exploding head syndrome is more likely in people who have other sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleep paralysis.

It is also associated with:

How is it treated?

Exploding head syndrome is harmless and not a sign of a serious brain problem. Episodes are usually brief, and may occur sporadically or in brief clusters before resolving on their own.

Once people are reassured the condition is not harmful and not a sign of brain damage or serious disease, episodes may become less frightening and frequent.

Medications are considered if episodes are frequent and very distressing but there haven’t been any large clinical trials that can guide treatment. Some sufferers have benefited from medications such as such as clomipramine but the evidence is limited, and more research is needed.

More commonly, treatment consists of reassurance and improving sleep habits. Some people report that addressing sleep problems such as insomnia, reducing tiredness and practising mindfulness and breathing techniques can help.

Generally harmless

In 1619 French philosopher René Descartes described having three dreams he regarded as a sign of divine revelation. In one, he heard a loud sound and saw a bright flash of light when he woke up. Some researchers have suggested what he was really experiencing was exploding head syndrome.

Despite its dramatic name, exploding head syndrome is harmless. For many people, the most effective intervention is understanding what it is – and knowing that it is not dangerous.

Although it is generally harmless, you should seek medical advice if episodes occur frequently, impact on your quality of life or are causing distress. Consult a doctor if they are painful, or associated with seizures, prolonged confusion, loss of consciousness or severe headache.

– ref. Exploding head syndrome: the surprisingly common condition with a terrifying name – https://theconversation.com/exploding-head-syndrome-the-surprisingly-common-condition-with-a-terrifying-name-276273

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/exploding-head-syndrome-the-surprisingly-common-condition-with-a-terrifying-name-276273/

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‘We’re doing something about it’ – Fiji’s health minister defends HIV response

By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Antonio Lalabalavu has defended the government’s handling of the country’s HIV crisis.

HIV is surging in Fiji with at least 9000 people — or nearly one percent of the population — reported to be now infected.

There are concerns that the real figure could be significantly higher, with global health experts saying HIV is historically under-reported.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes the country has been gripped by an “escalating HIV outbreak”.

The island nation declared an HIV outbreak in January last year, with the government calling it “a national crisis” and regional health experts warning that it could spread across the region.

Dr Lalabalavu told Pacific Waves that despite the rising tide of infection the government’s response to the crisis had been “responsible”.

“Look at the [HIV] trend and how it started, it goes way back to 2017, 2018. We are the government that recognised it and now we are doing something about it.”

Budget allocation
The government allocated FJ$10 million (US$4.4 million) in last year’s Budget towards initiatives designed to tackle the problem, he said.

“From last year there have been government initiatives put in place to ensure that we do try and get this under control.”

Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu . . . “government initiatives have been put in place to ensure that we do try and get this under control.” Image: FB/Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services

Alarming stats
 The Health Minister revealed some alarming HIV statistics in Parliament earlier this month.

“In 2025, Fiji recorded 2003 new diagnoses, up from 1583 in 2024, with the national rate diagnosis rising to 226 per 100,000, up from 13 per 100,000 in 2019 — a 17-fold increase,” he said.

“Men remain more affected, but the gap is narrowing, showing that infection is increasingly affecting women and families.”

On top of that, a new trend has emerged showing that the number of HIV-positive newborns is on the rise, according to the head of Fiji’s National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response team, Dr Jason Mitchell.

Sixty babies were born with HIV last year, up from 31 cases in 2024 and more than 3 percent of women attending antenatal care in Fiji were testing positive for HIV, with the number slightly higher in the capital, Suva, Dr Mitchell said.

One baby is being diagnosed with HIV every week due to mother-to-child transmission, and one child is dying every month from advanced HIV disease.

Mother-to-child transmission
 Mother-to-baby transmission is a growing concern, according to treatment support worker Dashika Balak.

“They (the mothers) test negatively initially but over the course of the pregnancy they acquire HIV,” Balak said.

“This is a new trend that we are seeing, because these women may not have risky behaviours but most of the partners are injecting drug users and in pregnancy people do have sex.”

Testing during pregnancy is now underway to reduce the risk of transmission to babies, she said.

Dr Lalabalavu has admitted that sexual promiscuity and drug use among youth in particular are huge contributing factors in the HIV epidemic.

Asked exactly how the government planned to address this, he said “a behavioural change programme” was needed to ensure that happens.

“It is part of the plan, you need good planning and a programme to ensure that is implemented across the board,” he said.

“It is not just something for the Ministry of Health, it’s for the various ministries, important stakeholders, the vanua, the church and the family in general.”

Fiji has been gripped by an “escalating HIV outbreak”. Image: FB/Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services

Conservative beliefs
 Although there were plans to introduce a vital needle and syringe exchange programme, its rollout would take time, Dr Lalabalavu said.

“We will have to tread carefully in terms of how it is accepted within the community, and also we need to look into the legal aspect of it. So we are in the final stages of ensuring that the programme is endorsed.”

Cultural and religious beliefs played a part in the sensitivity around the issue in Fiji, he said.

“First of all, you need to create awareness that by doing this we are not advocating for drug use. That is the challenge and the narrative that we need the general public are aware of,” he said.

“Right now we are looking at avenues to ensure that we get the message to important stakeholders such as the community, the vanua, and religious-based organisations that are here.”

“We want to tap into their capabilities so they can, together with the ministry, pass this message along to their congregations and to the public at large,” he said.

Civil society organisations and interest groups took to the streets for a special march to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1 December 2025. Image: FB/Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services

Echoing this, Mitchell told Fiji’s state broadcaster that introducing the programme would not be easy, given the negative reactions in the past when condom use and family planning were phased in.

He said health officials were accused of promoting promiscuity among youth, when they were responding to public health needs.

However, he stressed that the needle and syringe programme was crucial to reducing HIV and Hepatitis C infections in the country.

Needle sharing is described as widespread in group settings, leading to infection clusters within families and communities.

The Health Minister said he expected that by the time the programme went public, it would be well accepted by the people.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/were-doing-something-about-it-fijis-health-minister-defends-hiv-response/

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New chapter for remaining four polytechnics in 2027

Source: New Zealand Government

The remaining four polytechnics operating within the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) will begin new arrangements from 1 January 2027, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“Next year, NorthTec, the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), and Whitireia and WelTec will be established as stand-alone regional polytechnics, with support from the Federation of Polytechnics to enable access to shared services and resources that will support their ongoing viability,” Ms Simmonds says.

“Tai Poutini Polytechnic will transfer its operations to The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, the anchor polytechnic of the Federation, ensuring campus-based delivery on the South Island’s West Coast is secure for future generations.

“This is a major milestone in rebuilding a vocational education system that is locally led, financially sustainable, and focused on delivering the skills New Zealand’s regions need. It means training can better reflect the needs of local employers, support key industries, and ensure vocational education delivery aligns with workforce demand.

“With ten regional polytechnics already operating and the remaining four institutions now ready for new arrangements, the shift to a strong network of regionally led polytechnics and industry driven work-based learning means that the establishment phase of the Government’s redesign of vocational education and training is nearing completion.”

To support continuity for learners, the remaining four polytechnics will continue operating within NZIST during the transition, with work already underway on final approvals and detailed transition planning.

“Vocational education and training remains one of the most important tools we have to support local jobs and give New Zealanders practical pathways into meaningful work. Returning decision-making to regions is critical as it ensures training aligns with workforce demand and supports local economic development.

“It is crucial to provide clear vocational pathways for young people in our regions, including through strong secondary-tertiary connections and provision in high-growth sectors such as the primary industries and energy sector.

“We are fixing the basics and building the future. This is about delivering a vocational education and training system that works — for students, for employers, and for communities across New Zealand.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/31/new-chapter-for-remaining-four-polytechnics-in-2027/

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Goodbye Pill Fatigue: Food-Like Supplements Rise in Malaysia; Wel-Bloom’s Exclusive Jelly Format Supports Brands Seize the Market

Source: Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – Traditional capsules and tablets are losing appeal among young consumers. According to Nutraceuticals World, non-pill dietary supplements now account for 65% of total market sales. As consumers develop a physical or psychological aversion to capsules and medicinal odors—a phenomenon known as “Pill Fatigue”—the Malaysian health market is officially pivoting toward “Food-like Dosage Forms.”

The Surge of Functional Jellies and Gummies

Across Asia, demand for functional jellies and gummies that offer convenience with appealing taste has surged. Market research projects the global functional jelly and gummy market to grow at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.7% through 2032.

However, transitioning from pills to food-like formats presents a significant technical hurdle: potency vs. palatability. High-end anti-aging and beauty ingredients often possess strong natural odors or bitter aftertastes. To mask these, many health supplement manufacturers traditionally reduce the active ingredients, resulting in products that function more like “candy” than effective dietary supplements.

Wel-Bloom: Breaking the “Candy vs. Supplement” Barrier
To address these bottlenecks, Wel-Bloom, a leader of jelly supplement in Taiwan, offers Malaysian brands advanced solutions:

  • Nutri-Crypt® Coating Technology: A specialized coating for premium ingredients that effectively blocks and masks strong odors, addressing key consumer sensory concerns.
  • FRESH-Jelly® Functional Jelly: This patented technology ensures excellent palatability while preserving up to 97.8% of active ingredients, enabling higher dosages beyond capsule limitations—both delicious and effective.


Seizing New Opportunities

In a hyper-competitive market, dosage form innovation is the primary differentiator for brands seeking to stand out. Backed by NSF-GMP, HALAL, and multiple international certifications, Wel-Bloom leverages its deep expertise in the Southeast Asian market to help brands navigate the complexities of “dosage transformation.”

By transforming dietary supplements into a seamless part of daily lifestyle, Wel-Bloom continues to empower local brand owners to capture the burgeoning ” food-like-supplement” trend and secure a foothold with the next generation of consumers.

Hashtag: #Wel-Bloom

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/31/goodbye-pill-fatigue-food-like-supplements-rise-in-malaysia-wel-blooms-exclusive-jelly-format-supports-brands-seize-the-market/

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Border collie found one week after owner falls down waterfall in alpine backcountry

Source: Radio New Zealand

Molly was missing for almost two weeks in alpine backcountry. Supplied / Precision Helicopters

A dog has been found alive following an extraordinary helicopter search and rescue mission.

The rescue of Molly the border collie on Tuesday was the culmination of efforts co-ordinated by Precision Helicopters and funded through donations.

Molly became separated from her owner, Jessica Johnston, on 17 March when she fell down a waterfall and was seriously injured in a remote area near the Campbell Bivouac on the scrubline of the Campbell Range in the Arahura Valley, according to the helicopter rescuers.

Molly was found where Jess had fallen two weeks prior. Supplied / Precision Helicopters

Pilot Matt Newton said he had flown three missions to the area to see if he could spot Molly and was unsuccessful. On Tuesday, with a vet nurse on board and using a thermal camera, a small team of people spotted the dog at the foot of the waterfall where Johnston fell.

“It was a 55-metre fall. It was incredible that (Johnston) survived and she was picked up by a rescue helicopter a few weeks ago. No one’s sure whether the dog went over or not or whether it just made its way down to her but she had it in her hand when she fell. Because she was a bit wasted at the bottom she couldn’t remember whether the dog came down with her or not,” he said.

Newton said Johnston was seriously injured and was only recently discharged from hospital. She was making her way to the helicopter base to be reunited with Molly.

Newton sent her a satellite message as soon as her dog was found.

The waterfall Molly’s owner Jess fell down. Supplied / Precision Helicopters

“We were just making our way up the river to the most likely location where we felt that she would be, which is where Jess, her owner had fallen two weeks ago. We had the thermal equipment and she came up on the screen glowing red hot,” he said.

“As we got closer we could see it was actually her because other things can glow like possums and deer and goats and shammies and stoats and who knows, but it was the dog. We were stoked. Yeah, absolutely stoked.”

Newton said he had a little cry after getting Molly on board the chopper. She was in good condition, he said.

“I’d say she’d been scragging the odd possum and I’m sure she wouldn’t have killed any kiwis. She knows the rules there because she’s been kiwi trained. I’m pretty sure she’s been munching on the odd possum and she’s in pretty good condition, considering.”

Supplied / Precision Helicopters

In a Facebook post, Johnston said she was “blown away” by the support.

“I’d like to give the biggest thank you to all that have taken the time to donate with both funding, volunteering and sharing her posts,” she said.

“I’m absolutely blown away with the support everyone has given her so far from the kindest of strangers. Obviously devastated I’m not in a physical state to provide help on the ground. But with the support that’s been given a lot can be achieved for those that can. Incredibly grateful for how much was raised in a short period.

“Thank you for helping bring my Molly back home.”

Listen to the full interview on Checkpoint after 4pm today.

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/2026/03/31/border-collie-found-one-week-after-owner-falls-down-waterfall-in-alpine-backcountry/

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Broadcaster Duncan Garner charged with driving while suspended

Source: Radio New Zealand

Duncan Garner, pictured in 2018, was due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday. Michael Bradley/Getty Images for NZTV Awards

Broadcaster Duncan Garner has been charged with driving a car while his licence was suspended.

Garner, who hosts the Editor in Chief podcast, was due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday.

A registrar told RNZ the 52-year-old’s appearance had been adjourned to 14 April for disclosure and plea.

RNZ has approached Garner and his lawyer for comment.

The registrar said no suppression orders had been requested.

Court documents seen by RNZ allege Garner drove a car in Auckland on 10 March while his licence was suspended.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment and a $4500 fine.

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/2026/03/31/broadcaster-duncan-garner-charged-with-driving-while-suspended/

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Broadcaster Joanna Paul-Robie in ‘the long middle’ with cancer

Source: Radio New Zealand

When a young hospital registrar turned “putty grey”, broadcaster Joanna Paul-Robie knew she was about to get some bad news.

Paul-Robie had gone into hospital to get checked out for what she suspected were kidney stones, only to get the devastating news she had terminal cancer.

“Nobody turns that colour on purpose. So, I said to her ‘just spit it out, whatever it is, tell me, I’ll deal with it’. And she said, ‘well, we’ve seen a very big shadow on your liver, you’ve basically got liver cancer’,” Paul-Robie told RNZ’s Afternoons.

Joanna Paul-Robie.

Joanna Paul

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/31/broadcaster-joanna-paul-robie-in-the-long-middle-with-cancer/

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New Zealand’s prosperity threatened by lack of cohesive growth policies, tech sector warns

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tech New Zealand chief executive Graeme Muller says “New Zealanders deserve a clear, ambitious vision that captures opportunities while managing risk”. NZ Tech

The $24 billion technology sector has published a manifesto warning New Zealand’s future prosperity is being threatened by a lack of cohesive policies to support growth.

“Our productivity is lagging, our talent is departing, and our infrastructure deficit is growing,” Tech New Zealand chief executive Graeme Muller said.

He said there were some policy setting nuances which would ensure New Zealand’s fast-growing tech businesses would grow faster in New Zealand.

“We would move from exporting $17 billion a year of technology, and move it up to $25 – $30 billion a year, and make it the largest exporter within a decade. Easily,” he said.

“With those growing companies, you’re attracting good talent, you’re keeping the money in the country. You’re creating products and services that can be deployed for New Zealand.”

He said the sector was calling on policymakers to put aside political differences and commit to a long-term, bipartisan strategy to secure the country’s economic future.

“New Zealanders deserve a clear, ambitious vision that captures opportunities while managing risk. That requires long-term thinking with genuine cross-party collaboration,” Muller said.

The Tech & Innovation Manifesto 2026 was developed in collaboration with 20 tech sector organisations, representing agritech, AI, biotech, blockchain, education, fintech and other industries.

The manifesto sets out four cornerstones for growth

  • World-class local digital infrastructure
  • Abundant and affordable clean energy
  • A consistent, attractive investment and talent ecosystem
  • Strong global connections and export excellence

“Smarter use of technology will lift productivity, drive sustainable growth and create high-value jobs,” Muller said.

Policy proposals to support growth

  • Provide every adult New Zealander with access to free, globally-benchmarked training in practical AI skills like they do in the UK.
  • Direct the NZ Super Fund to allocate more late-stage capital into local tech firms, helping them to retain head offices and staff in New Zealand as our biggest tech firms go global.
  • Increase investment in cybersecurity to combat the $1.6b lost to cybercrime annually.
  • Accelerate deployment of renewable energy and use this to attract energy-intensive industries – such as data centres, supercomputing and advanced food processing – powered by clean energy to drive low-carbon exports.
  • Invest in digital inclusion initiatives to ensure all New Zealanders can access, adopt and benefit from public digital infrastructure.
  • Establish a streamlined pathway for precision-bred, gene-edited plants and animals, distinct from existing genetically modified organism (GMO) rules to safely lift our primary sector exports.

“The benefit of tech is it’s an enabler, as well as an industry,” Muller 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/2026/03/31/new-zealands-prosperity-threatened-by-lack-of-cohesive-growth-policies-tech-sector-warns/

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Rising diesel prices begin to lift construction costs, QV says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rising diesel prices are starting to push up construction costs. 123RF

Rising fuel prices are starting to push construction costs higher, according to property valuer Quotable Value (QV).

QV’s CostBuilder platform shows headline cost increases remained contained in March, rising just 0.4 percent.

But QV says rapidly rising diesel prices have begun flowing through into fuel-intensive parts of the sector.

Excavation costs jumped 7.8 percent, piling rose 1.4 percent, and demolition increased 1.3 percent – largely due to the surge in diesel prices.

Site preparation and substructure costs also rose by 2 percent and 1.8 percent respectively as fuel costs pushed higher.

QV CostBuilder quantity surveyor Martin Bisset said fuel was currently the key cost driver.

“The increase in the price of diesel has had an immediate impact on areas such as site preparation, excavation and substructure work, where fuel is a significant input for machinery used in these operations.”

Bisset said that while the recent fuel spike was significant, its full impact on overall building costs was not yet clear.

“New Zealand is particularly exposed to changes in fuel and shipping costs, so recent geopolitical events in the Middle East are relevant for the local construction sector, and they will inevitably have an effect.”

He said that although rising fuel prices had begun affecting individual stages of the building process, the full impact on total building costs would not become clear until next month, although the country was not facing the sharp and sustained cost escalation seen during the pandemic.

“We’re not seeing the widespread supply-chain disruption of recent years, but fuel and freight are certainly re-emerging as important cost drivers.”

Bisset said the current fuel price increases appeared to be a short-term spike, and that fuel prices were expected to eventually stabilise, easing some of the current pressure.

Across the wider construction sector, cost movements remain mixed: plasterboard and insulation rose in price, while copper and steel pipework declined.

Overall, Bisset said the market remained relatively balanced, though with a higher degree of uncertainty.

“The key takeaway is that cost growth is still relatively moderate, but volatility has increased,” 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/2026/03/31/rising-diesel-prices-begin-to-lift-construction-costs-qv-says/

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Fuel crisis the priority, not style guides, Judith Collins tells ACT

Source: Radio New Zealand

Public Service Minister Judith Collins. VNP/Louis Collins

Public Service Minister Judith Collins has shrugged off pressure from coalition partner ACT over the government’s English-first policy, suggesting the matter is not a key priority.

“To be frank, right at the moment, my concern is fuel,” she told RNZ. “That’s my big focus. I’m not too worried about everything else.”

ACT MP Todd Stephenson wrote to Collins a fortnight ago warning of “growing concern” that https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/505103/act-nz-first-hesitant-to-criticise-national-over-kainga-ora-name coalition commitments] were not being “visibly implemented” across the public service.

He pointed to the Public Service Commission style guidelines which still displayed the te reo Māori phrase “Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa” in bold above the English “New Zealand Government”.

Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday, Collins said she had responded with a “very nice” letter noting that changes would be handled on a “case-by-case basis”, with cost front of mind.

She said she was sure the commission would issue new guidance to departments “at some stage”, but its focus – like hers – was on the current fuel crisis.

“You’ve just got to [prioritise]… what’s going to make the boat go faster, and it’s possibly not style guides.”

Collins said she did not want agencies spending significant time or money on rebranding and expected any updates to be done as cheaply as possible.

In her letter to Stephenson, she said she had instructed officials to advise her on the potential costs and timeframe for reviewing the guidelines.

She noted that public agencies and Crown entities had recently been reminded to be “to be mindful of the fiscal environment, to minimise unnecessary expenditure associated with rebranding, and to learn from other agencies’ experiences to avoid undue costs”.

In a separate statement, Stephenson said the update would not be a significant change but would set an example for the wider public service.

ACT MP Todd Stephenson. VNP / Phil Smith

“ACT does not support costly rebrands involving consultants or flash new signage and stationery. But Brooke van Velden delivered a digital-first rebrand at the Department of Internal Affairs for just $741. The Public Service Commission could follow her example.”

The National-NZ First coalition agreement included a commitment to “ensure all public service departments have their primary name in English, except for those specifically related to Māori”.

It also committed the coalition to require “public service departments and Crown entities to communicate primarily in English except those entities specifically related to Māori”.

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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/2026/03/31/fuel-crisis-the-priority-not-style-guides-judith-collins-tells-act/

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Murderer Rajinder’s wife admits helping him dispose of evidence

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rajinder in court. RNZ

The wife of a Dunedin murderer has admitted getting rid of evidence in the investigation.

Gurpreet Kaur’s husband Rajinder will be sentenced at the High Court on Wednesday for the murder of Gurjit Singh in 2024.

He was found guilty after a jury trial late last year but evidence of Kaur’s involvement was suppressed until she pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice on Tuesday.

During her husband’s murder trial, police told the court they visited Kaur’s work to tell her Rajinder was being charged over Singh’s death and they wanted to speak with her at the station.

She asked for a toilet stop before they left.

Police decided to check the bathroom after she emerged, where they discovered a pair of Rajinder’s shoes hidden in a bin.

Crown prosecutor Robin Bates told the jury that tiny fragments of glass found on the shoes were consistent with shattered glass from the murder scene.

“Bloody footprints on the shards of glass scattered about the house and the wooden decking were compared to the soles of the defendant’s shoes. The shoes were subsequently located at the defendant’s wife’s work,” he said.

“You will hear that the defendant’s wife tried to dispose of the shoes.”

Kaur will be sentenced in July.

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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/2026/03/31/murderer-rajinders-wife-admits-helping-him-dispose-of-evidence/

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Truck rolls in Napier, blocking highway

Source: Radio New Zealand

The intersection of SH51 and Awatoto Road in Napier. Google Maps

A major road in southern Napier is partially blocked after a truck hit the central wire barrier and rolled.

The accident happened on State Highway 51 near the intersection with Awatoto Road just before 11.20am, police said.

The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The northbound lane towards the city was blocked, and police said the entire road might need to be closed to remove the truck and make repairs.

“Motorists are advised to take alternative routes where possible, or expect delays.”

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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/2026/03/31/truck-rolls-in-napier-blocking-highway/

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War on Iran a ‘bazooka’ through government’s LNG plan – gentailer CEO

Source: Radio New Zealand

Energy Minister Simon Watts. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Energy Minister is expressing confidence in the government’s plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, even as the Prime Minister says it will not go ahead if the business case does not stack up.

Two of the country’s gentailers have expressed their own doubts on the future of the terminal, while Labour has asked the auditor-general to look at the decision-making process.

The government intends to build a billion-dollar LNG import facility in Taranaki as a back-up to address dry-year risk.

Confirmation the government would proceed with the terminal was announced in February, shortly before the United States and Israel attacked Iran.

The ensuing energy crisis has led to LNG prices rises of 143 percent in Asia since 28 February, leading to criticism from Labour the government was signing New Zealand up to more volatile price spikes in the future.

A decision on procurement is due to be made by the middle of the year, with the aim of having the facility operational and receiving gas in 2028.

The prime minister indicated its future would rely on the business case.

“If it doesn’t stack up, we won’t be doing it. Until we see the commercials on it, we’ll make the decision then,” Christopher Luxon said on Tuesday.

Energy bosses express mixed views

Appearing at the energy sector conference Downstream in Wellington on Tuesday morning, gentailer chief executives were asked what the crisis meant for the LNG terminal.

“It depends which day you read the news, doesn’t it? I think LNG stands for ‘likely no gas’ to be honest,” Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns said.

“The reality is that only 30 percent of New Zealand’s energy comes from electricity, 70 percent comes from other forms. Fifty percent of our overall footprint is imported, so we have a highly exposed energy system to the rest of the world. Whether you add LNG to that or not is not going to make one iota of difference to New Zealand’s exposure to the imported fuel regime to the world.”

Meridian chief executive Mike Roan agreed.

Meridian chief executive Mike Roan. Meridian Energy

“It feels like the Americans might have put a bazooka, literally, through that proposal,” he said.

“I think it’s the challenge that we have as an industry, which is, how do we take charge of the resources that are at our fingertips and actually build out a resilient, secure, and affordable electricity system for not only today, but for the generations that follow? Because that’s what people were able to do before us.”

Others on the panel were more optimistic.

David Prentice, chief executive of the Gas Industry Company, said “first and foremost” the LNG terminal was about providing insurance for a dry year.

“We all have insurance in our homes and our cars, and we grumble and moan about it, but at the end of the day, I would bet that most people would still have insurance.”

Transpower executive general manager of operations Chantelle Bramley said LNG would bring new energy into a constrained system, and would buy New Zealand time to “build out” renewables.

“It gives us optionality. And in times of uncertainty, creating more options is actually a really good thing.

“We’re a tiny country at the bottom of the South Pacific. We are not an interconnected power system. There are things that will happen in our domestic market that at some point we’ll also want to be looking at that international fuel mix. The war in Iran won’t be going on forever, so I think that that optionality is also really important.”

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire following a projectile impact on a refinery in Israel’s northern city of Haifa on 3 March, 2026. JACK GUEZ / AFP

Energy minister wants ‘a good deal’

Energy Minister Simon Watts said there were “two conversations” at play, involving the procurement of the import terminal and then the procurement of the LNG itself.

Watts said the government was proceeding with the procurement process “as planned”, but like any procurement process the government wanted to get “a good deal”.

Officials had advised him the procurement process was on track.

“First and foremost, we’re doing a procurement process to build a strategic LNG importation terminal. The second conversation is around procurement of that gas.

“Obviously, the procurement of the gas will be for winter ’28, which is obviously not on Tuesday, and that long-term contracting process will follow once the terminal is built. So we’ve got to separate out. There’s two conversations here. We’re talking about the procurement to build the ability to import.”

Watts said the underlying problem of a lack of gas to make electricity in a dry year remained, and a PwC report two weeks ago had outlined that not having gas in the economy would be “catastrophic” for regional jobs and GDP growth.

The PwC report said introducing LNG would help “stabilise total gas supply and prices,” as well as reduce structural scarcity pressures and restore confidence in the market to support an “orderly” gas transition.

“We need the capability to import, and then we need to do long-term contracting to get that gas when we need it, acknowledging we don’t know exactly when we are going to have a dry year, but having that insurance policy gives us more options,” Watts said.

‘A dangerous idea’ – Labour

Cabinet has delegated the authority for the contract to be signed off by the ministers of finance, energy and infrastructure.

Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods said she was concerned it was not the “usual” way for a billion-dollar project to be decided on.

“There’s power to ministers to decide, rather than the usual kind of officials process that you’d have in a case like this,” Woods said.

“I’ve actually written to the auditor-general, and I’ve asked the auditor-general to look at that, because I think it is highly atypical that you’d be having political decisions around a billion-dollar project, when the government’s already shown that it doesn’t have the ability to think things through.”

Megan Woods. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Woods’ letter questioned whether the decision-making criteria at each stage was sufficiently clear, documented, and robust.

It asked the auditor-general to consider whether it was consistent with the Government Procurement Rules, as well as the Cabinet Manual and the auditor-general’s own guidance on procurement.

Of particular concern for Woods was whether the level of ministerial involvement in shortlisting and choosing suppliers was “appropriate for a procurement of this size and risk”, and whether that created a real or perceived risk to the independence and integrity of the process.

“The Cabinet material describes a process where the minister for energy approves the shortlist and a small group of ministers selects the preferred supplier. That appears to be a high degree of direct ministerial involvement in what is, at heart, a commercial evaluation and selection exercise for a very large contract,” her letter said.

Woods said LNG was “always” going to be a more volatile and insecure way for New Zealand to secure its energy system, and accused the government of brushing aside other ways in which it could be done.

“It was a dangerous idea when the government announced it. I think the last three or four weeks have just shown how precarious it is. New Zealand should not be banking its energy security on a volatile fuel like LNG.”

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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/2026/03/31/war-on-iran-a-bazooka-through-governments-lng-plan-gentailer-ceo/

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Good Samaritans sought following Massey assault

Source: New Zealand Police

Waitematā Police are seeking a family of good Samaritans who went to the aid of a high school student when she was allegedly assaulted by two women at a bus stop on the weekend.

On Saturday at about 10.10pm, two teenage girls were sitting at a bus stop on Don Buck Road opposite Manuku Drive when a white Suzuki swift pulled up.

Three people have exited the vehicle before one of them assaulted one of the teenagers.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says an unknown family has then pulled over and told the group to leave.

“Police would like to speak to these good Samaritans in the regards to the assistance they provided.

“We would really like to identify these people and speak with them about the circumstances of what happened, and also to thank them for their efforts.”

If this was you, or you know who this family is, Police would like to hear from you.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has information regarding this incident, is also urged to contact Police.

You can get in touch by calling 105 and quoting file number 260329/1337.

If you wish to give information anonymously, please call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/31/good-samaritans-sought-following-massey-assault/

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Israel passes extreme death penalty law targeting only Palestinians

By Minnah Arshad of Zeteo

Israel’s Parliament has approved a one-sided death penalty measure to execute Palestinians.

It is one of the most extreme laws in the nation’s history, and will exacerbate the far-right government’s illegal system of apartheid.

Some members of the Knesset, including ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, were seen wearing noose pins in the Knesset yesterday, and celebrating with champagne on live TV after the bill passed.

Ben-Gvir said hanging is “one of the options,” as is execution by the electric chair or euthanasia.

The law was passed with 62 votes to 48 in its final reading.

The bill drew international condemnation ahead of its passage, including from the European Union, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and Amnesty International. Human rights groups have vowed to challenge the bill in Israel’s Supreme Court.

The legislation, which has garnered broad public support in Israel, authorises executions for “terrorists” who kill “with the intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel,” according to Haaretz — effectively ensuring it won’t apply to any of the settlers who routinely murder Palestinians.

‘Confessions’ by torture
In military courts in the occupied West Bank, execution by hanging will now be the default punishment for terrorism. Only Palestinians are tried in these courts, and 96 percent of people are convicted, though cases are largely built on “confessions” extracted through torture.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians condemned the bill yesterday ahead of the vote as an “extreme escalation in Israel’s genocidal policies against Palestinians”.

“The progression of the legislation marks not just a profoundly unjust and illegal act of discrimination under international law, but a far more sinister escalation of Israel’s apartheid legal systems,” the center wrote.

[embedded content]
Israeli Knesset death penalty for Palestinians.       Video: Al Jazeera

Israel is currently imprisoning about 9500 Palestinians, according to the human rights group B’Tselem, and about half of them are held under administrative detention.

According to the group, the Israel Prison Service has already started to prepare designated execution facilities.

B’Tselem on Sunday called the bill “another official killing mechanism” that will further normalise the slaughter of Palestinians, as Israel continues its genocide in Gaza and intensifies attacks in the occupied West Bank.

Human rights violation
 “The death penalty is a total violation of the most basic human rights, primarily, the right to life,” B’Tselem wrote.

“Israel enforces a comprehensive policy of killing and oppression against the Palestinian people in all the territories it controls. The Death Penalty Law gives Israel’s apartheid regime yet another tool for advancing that policy.”

On top of Monday’s bill, the Knesset is also considering another death penalty measure to impose on alleged October 7, 2023, attackers.

According to Amnesty International, that bill would effectively expand the unilateral powers of military judges and eliminate judicial safeguards.

A Palestinian Forum of New Zealand meme protesting against the new Israeli law. Image: Maher Nazzal

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/israel-passes-extreme-death-penalty-law-targeting-only-palestinians/

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‘My head feels clearer’: how citizen science can improve people’s health

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Fuller, Professor in Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Queensland

The two of us can often be found in a patch of scrubby bushland, phone in hand, slowly scanning for plants. Or crouched behind a tree trunk with binoculars, pausing mid-breath to find the source of a bird call. It often feels like a treasure hunt. What will turn up today? And how can we share those observations with the world?

Activities such as these are part of citizen science, where volunteers record observations of the natural world and share them with others.

Science lives far beyond the lab, and it’s not just done by scientists.

In this series, we spotlight the world of citizen science – its benefits, discoveries and how you can participate.

We are both professional ecologists, but our most joyful moments with nature often begin with a simple act: stepping outside and paying attention to it. And our research suggests these experiences may do more than support science. They may also benefit our mental health.

Some days it’s a common species we’ve seen a hundred times before. Other days it’s something unexpected that brings a surge of excitement.

Being outside like this can feel freeing. You focus on the present, move your body and think about where to place your feet, without worrying about your email inbox or endless other demands on your attention. You begin noticing small details you might usually rush past.

That sense of curiosity, connection and shared purpose is something many people recognise when they take part in citizen science.

Supporting mental wellbeing

Citizen science projects invite people to collect data about the natural world.

Platforms such as eBird, iNaturalist, FrogID and Redmap allow anyone armed with curiosity and a smartphone to record wildlife observations and contribute to scientific research. Millions of people around the world now take part in these kinds of projects.

In a recent study of citizen science participants, we examined how taking part in wildlife monitoring projects affects people’s mental wellbeing.

Participants consistently described feeling better after taking part. One volunteer told us:

I come home tired, but it’s a good tired. My head feels clearer, like I’ve pressed reset.

Another explained that learning to identify species changed how they experienced everyday walks:

I don’t just see “green” anymore. Now I notice the differences between plants, their ecological value and the pressures they face.

Part of the explanation is simple: spending time in nature is already known to reduce stress, improve mood and support mental wellbeing.

But citizen science goes a step further.

Rather than simply visiting a park, people actively engage with the environment. They observe closely, record what they see and contribute to something larger than themselves. This sense of purpose can deepen the benefits of being outside.

Citizen science is also inherently social. Many projects bring people together to collect data, share observations or learn from others. These interactions can help reduce social isolation, which is a major risk factor for poor mental health.

For some participants, particularly older adults, citizen science can also be empowering. It provides opportunities to use existing skills, learn new ones and feel that their contributions matter.

Taken together, elements of nature exposure, physical activity, learning and social connection create a powerful mix that supports wellbeing.

How you participate matters

Not all citizen science experiences are the same, and this may influence their health benefits.

In a 2025 study we explored this using a concept borrowed from public health called dose-response – how much participation is needed to produce benefits?

Three ingredients appear particularly important: frequency (how often someone takes part), duration (how long activities last) and intensity, which can include the richness of the environment, the diversity of species encountered or the depth of interaction between participants.

Short, one-off activities can still boost mood and encourage movement. But regular participation is more likely to produce longer-lasting benefits. Like exercise, small amounts done often may be better than one big effort followed by long gaps.

Citizen science can also bring physical health benefits. Many projects involve walking, bending, standing or light hiking. These activities support mobility and cardiovascular health.

For communities at risk of social isolation or physical inactivity, these benefits may be profoundly valuable.

How can citizen science do even more?

Despite this potential, most citizen science projects are not designed with health outcomes in mind. That means opportunities are being missed.

A 2025 study suggests even short nature-based citizen science activities can quickly improve mood and reduce stress.

Longer-term mental health conditions are influenced by many factors and usually require sustained support. Citizen science will not replace medical care. But it can help strengthen the foundations of wellbeing: positive emotions, physical activity, social connection and a sense of purpose.

At a population level, these building blocks matter. They build our ability to cope with challenges and recover from stress.

To maximise these benefits, citizen science projects must be inclusive. People who already feel connected to nature are more likely to take part.

But this is also the group that tends to report better mental and physical health, meaning participation can unintentionally reinforce existing health inequalities.

Field-based projects may unintentionally exclude people with mobility challenges, limited time or poor access to green space. Yet many of these individuals could contribute meaningfully if projects were designed with accessibility in mind.

Recognising citizen science not only as a research tool, but also as a way to support public health opens new opportunities.

When designed thoughtfully, citizen science can benefit both biodiversity and people. And for participants, it offers something simple but powerful: a reason to step outside, pay attention, and reconnect with the living world around them.

– ref. ‘My head feels clearer’: how citizen science can improve people’s health – https://theconversation.com/my-head-feels-clearer-how-citizen-science-can-improve-peoples-health-275426

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/my-head-feels-clearer-how-citizen-science-can-improve-peoples-health-275426/