Yotam Ottolenghi has cooked for the great and the good – but that cuts no ice with his most demanding diners at home.
The Israeli-born British chef, who lives in London with husband Karl Allen and their two sons, told RNZ’s Culture 101 that it was challenging to discover that his children preferred simple food.
“You just want them to be these sophisticated creatures with amazing palates right from the get-go, and the reality just hits you in the face every time because that’s just not how they are.
“I know some kids are like that, but I think most kids are not like that. They need to take their time, they need to go on this journey, and I think we should just let them go on the journey of discovery because I think that’s just human nature.”
This video is hosted on Youtube.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
One week on, people reflect at a memorial site for the six people who died in a landslide at Mount Maunganui.RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Police have officially stood down all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, following a fatal landslide last month.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and Search and Rescue teams had stopped all work, and would leave the scene.
“The families were notified of this update yesterday evening. This completes the recovery operation.
“While police will no longer be working at the scene, technology remains in place to monitor any land movements.”
Cordons still in place
The cordon at Mount Maunganui after the landslide was covered in tributes for the people who lost their lives.RNZ / Lauren Crimp
Cordons remain in place around Adams Avenue, The Mall and Marine Parade.
Anderson said police would work with council and geotechnical experts to determine when it was safe to reduce the cordons.
“These remain in place for the safety of those who remain on the site, but also for the safety of the public.
“We expect to formally hand the scene over to Tauranga City Council in the coming days.”
Next steps
Police have said they would now support any subsequent coronial inquest into the tragedy.
WorkSafe continues to scope its involvement in the next phase of the response.
Police have signed an operational protocol for information-sharing with WorkSafe New Zealand to avoid duplication of efforts and to facilitate the next stage of inquiries.
“Police will be formally speaking to witnesses and gathering as much information that we can to assist WorkSafe,” Anderson said.
Police District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson.RNZ
“A number of police staff from around the country will be assisting with this next phase of work.”
WorkSafe’s role would be to look into those organisations with a duty of care for people at the holiday park, and whether they met their work health and safety responsibilities.
All six victims formally identified
Superintendent Anderson said, as of Saturday night, all six victims had been formally identified.
The six victims of the Mt Maunganui landslide – Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Lisa Maclennan, 50, Susan Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15, Max Furse-Kee, 15, Jacqualine Wheeler, 71 and Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71.Supplied
“We are very relieved for the families that all their loved ones have now been returned to them.
“The last 11 days have been extremely difficult for them, waiting for their loved ones to be found and returned to them.”
Police would continue to provide ongoing wraparound support to the families of the victims.
“While we cannot take the pain away, we hope that being re-united with their loved ones can help give them some closure.
“Our family liaison officers have put in an immense amount of work to support these grieving families.
“I could not be more impressed by them in regard to their compassion, dedication and professionalism.”
Hundreds from different regions helped with operation
Anderson commended all agencies involved for their assistance during a difficult operation.
“On reflection, it has been a privilege to work alongside our colleagues, partners and volunteers for a common purpose.
“We have united to bring the families some form of closure out of this absolute tragedy.”
Police have utilised hundreds of staff from across several regions, including specialist staff over the course of this operation.
“At the peak of our operations, close to 100 police staff were assisting on a daily basis.
“We all had one goal and that was to re-unite families with their loved ones, but also to support these families through what has been an incredibly difficult time.
“I’m immensely proud of every single person who has worked tirelessly on this operation.”
A community vigil was held at Tauranga to honour those missing and the lives lost following the Mount landslide.RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on February 1, 2026.
Greenland and Western hypocrisy over the rules-based international order COMMENTARY: By John Menadue Western leaders defend the rules-based international order when it suits them, but remain largely silent as those same rules are breached by the United States and Israel. The result is a system that shields the powerful and abandons the vulnerable — most starkly in Palestine. The white men and a few
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images After months of speculation, US President Donald Trump confirmed he will be nominating Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the US Federal Reserve. The appointment has been closely watched
Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel Asia Pacific Report New Zealand protesters in Tamaki Makaurau today heralded a global demand for the freedom of thousands of Palestinians who have been unlawfully imprisoned by Israel in its illegal occupation of Palestine. Today is the Red Ribbon Campaign’s global day of solidarity for Palestinian hostages or political prisoners. It is the culmination of
Funny, tender, goofy – Catherine O’Hara lit up the screen every time she showed up Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben McCann, Associate Professor of French Studies, Adelaide University Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actor and comedian who has died aged 71, occupied that rare position in contemporary screen culture: a comic actor, a cult figure and a mainstream star. Her work spanned more than 50 years, from
Attribute to Inspector Sarah Thorn, District Road Policing Manager:
Southern District Police are urging all road users to slow down, stay alert and make safe choices as traffic volumes increase across the region over the coming week.
The message follows a tragic weekend, with two fatal crashes in Southern District between 7am Friday 30 January and 7am this morning [Sunday 1 February]. One of the crashes occurred in the Dunedin area, with another near Queenstown. Our staff have been busy with several other serious injury crashes that were also attended during this period.
There are quite simply too many crashes happening on our roads, and the consequences can be devastating.
Specialist police staff attend scenes like this, alongside other emergency workers. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who work in challenging and conditions. They provide critical care, secure scenes and conduct thorough investigations to understand what has happened. Their work is vital to ensure families receive the care, answers and support they deserve when faced with the death or serious injury of a loved one.
While investigations into these crashes are still in the early stages, the road safety message remains unchanged.
Wear your seatbelt, keep your speed safe, put away distractions, and never drive or ride fatigued or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The coming days are expected to be particularly busy on Southern District roads, with Waitangi Weekend travel combined with the annual Burt Munro Challenge motorcycle festival, being held in Invercargill from 4–8 February 2026.
The Burt Munro Challenge attracts several thousand participants, spectators and visitors from across New Zealand and overseas. It will significantly increase traffic volumes throughout the wider Southern District.
To help keep people safe, Southern District Police will have dedicated Road Policing staff highly visible across the district, including the use of checkpoints and fatigue stops.
Our focus is on prevention.
We want everyone to arrive safely at their destination, enjoy the events they are travelling to, and make it home safely.
All road users, including motorcyclists, are urged to:
Avoid driving or riding while tired or impaired
Stick to posted speed limits and drive to the conditions
Ensure vehicles and motorcycles are roadworthy
Wear appropriate safety gear, including seatbelts and approved motorcycle protection.
We remind the public that small decisions can have life‑changing consequences.
Everyone has a role to play in keeping Southern District roads safe.
Police encourage anyone who witnesses illegal or unsafe driving behaviour to report it.
Call 111 if it’s happening now or is an emergency. Call 105 for non-emergencies.
Western leaders defend the rules-based international order when it suits them, but remain largely silent as those same rules are breached by the United States and Israel.
The result is a system that shields the powerful and abandons the vulnerable — most starkly in Palestine.
The white men and a few women couldn’t hide their anger over Trump threatening to take over Greenland. NATO members joined in at the horror of Trump subverting the rules-based international order (RBIO).
They were appalled at this breach of the RBIO, that Australian Foreign Minister Richard Marles and all right-thinking people in the West keep talking about.
But these very same people — including the Australian and New Zealand political elite — say precious little or nothing at all when the rules are broken by the US and Israel to attack the poor and vulnerable of this world.
Greenlanders are special, but not Palestinians.
The breaches of RBIO didn’t come with Trump. The West has been breaching the rules for decades. Trump’s rule-breaking is just more gross and explicit.
Not only are we very selective in our concerns, but we also tug the forelock in joining the US and Israel in numerous and wilful breaches of the RBIO, breaches that have brought death and misery to tens of millions of people.
With impunity the rich and powerful break the rules and punish the poor and vulnerable. Or as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney put it, “the strong can do what they can and the weak must suffer what they must.”
And those that suffer are not white Christians or Jews but brown Muslims. No wonder our Muslim brothers and sisters believe that the system is loaded against them. They are right to feel aggrieved.
The cruellest example in the world today of breach of rules is the genocide which Israel, with the support of United States, is inflicting on the brave people of Palestine.
This is not to suggest that Mark Carney’s Davos speech is not to be welcomed and applauded. But the RBIO is selectively applied. Are Palestinians of less value than Greenlanders?
Just look at some instances of how the US has breached the RBIO.
1. Use of force without UN authorisation Under the UN Charter, force is legal only in self-defence or with UN Security Council approval. The US has violated this rule multiple times.
Iraq (2003)
The invasion had no explicit UN Security Council authorisation.
Claims about weapons of mass destruction were false. It resulted in massive civilian casualties and long-term regional destabilisation.
Kosovo / Serbia (1999)
NATO bombing campaign (led by the US) proceeded without UN authorisation.
Panama (1989)
US invaded to arrest Manuel Noriega. It was condemned by the UN General Assembly as a violation of international law.
Syria (from 2014 onward)
US military presence and airstrikes occurred without Syrian consent or UN authorisation.
2. Undermining state sovereignty through regime change The US has frequently violated the principle of non-intervention.
Latin America (1970s–1980s)
Chile (1973): Supported the overthrow of democratically elected President Allende
Nicaragua: Funded and armed the Contras, despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) condemning US actions.
Afghanistan (1980s)
Covertly armed insurgents to weaken the Soviet-backed government, contributing to decades of instability.
Libya (2011)
UN authorisation was for civilian protection, not regime change. NATO operations (led by the US) went far beyond the mandate, resulting in state collapse.
3. Ignoring or rejecting international courts and legal rulings
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Nicaragua vs United States (1986): ICJ ruled the US violated international law by supporting Contra rebels. The US rejected the ruling, withdrew from ICJ compulsory jurisdiction, and refused to pay reparations.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
The US refuses to join the ICC and passed domestic laws authorising force to free US personnel if detained by the ICC.
The US sanctioned ICC officials investigating US actions in Afghanistan
4. Torture, detention, and human rights violations
‘War on Terror’ practices
Guantánamo Bay: Indefinite detention without trial, violating habeas corpus and Geneva Conventions.
CIA black sites: Secret prisons involving torture (waterboarding, sleep deprivation).
Extraordinary rendition: Transferring suspects to countries known to practise torture.
These actions directly contradict:
The UN Convention Against Torture (which the US ratified).
International humanitarian law.
5. Violations of international humanitarian law in warfare
Civilian casualties
Repeated airstrikes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria caused high death tolls.
Use of controversial weapons
Cluster munitions: Used despite long-recognised humanitarian concerns (the US is not a signatory to the ban).
Depleted uranium munitions: Long-term health and environmental impacts.
6. Sanctions and economic coercion outside UN frameworks The US increasingly uses unilateral sanctions, bypassing the UN.
Examples:
Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Russia.
Sanctions often:
Lack UN approval and have severe humanitarian consequences.
Use extraterritorial enforcement, pressuring third-party states.
7. Selective application of ‘rules’ A core criticism isn’t just violations — but selectivity.
Condemning territorial conquest while supporting allies doing similar things.
Defending human rights rhetorically while shielding allies from accountability.
Promoting international law when convenient.
Israeli breaches of rules-based international order
1. Occupation and settlements in the West Bank
Under international humanitarian law (Fourth Geneva Convention), an occupying power is prohibited from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory.
Israel has built and expanded settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
These settlements are considered illegal under international law by the UN, the (ICJ).
2. Annexation of East Jerusalem
Israel annexed East Jerusalem after the 1967 war.
The UN Security Council has repeatedly declared this annexation null and void.
Unilateral annexation violates the principle that borders cannot be changed by force.
3. Use of force and civilian harm in Gaza
Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in large civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.
Human rights groups and UN bodies have accused Israel of disproportionate force and potential war crimes, including collective punishment (such as blockades affecting civilians).
4. Blockade of Gaza
Israel has maintained a land, sea, and air blockade on Gaza since 2007.
The UN and many legal scholars argue the blockade constitutes collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law.
5. Disregard for UN resolutions and international rulings
Israel has not complied with numerous UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, particularly on settlements and occupation.
It has rejected the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes in the occupied territories.
6. Unequal application of law (apartheid allegations)
Major human rights organisations (e.g., Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch) have accused Israel of practising apartheid due to different legal systems for Israelis and Palestinians in the same territory.
The bigger picture: Israel benefits from political protection, especially from the US, which shields it from sanctions or enforcement — creating a perception that the rules-based order is selective rather than universal.
The RBIO was designed to help protect the weak but is selectively applied by the strong. The US and Israel regularly breach the RBIO.
John Menadue is the founder and editor-in-chief of Pearls and Irritations. He was formerly Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Ambassador to Japan, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and CEO of Qantas. For this article he has been assisted by WeChat for breaches by the US and Israel of the RBIO. He edited to shorten. Republished with permission.
Police have this morning officially stood down all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, following a landslide last Thursday, 22 January.
Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson says our Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and Search and Rescue teams have now stopped all work and will leave the scene.
“The families were notified of this update yesterday evening.
“This completes the recovery operation. While Police will no longer be working at the scene, technology remains in place to monitor any land movements.”
Scene remains with Police, cordons still in place
Cordons remain in place around Adams Avenue, The Mall and Marine Parade.
“We are constantly working with council and geotechnical experts to determine when it is safe to reduce the cordons.
“These remain in place for the safety of those who remain on the site, but also for the safety of the public.
“We expect to formally hand the scene over to Tauranga City Council in the coming days,” says Superintendent Anderson.
Next steps
Police will now support any subsequent Coronial inquest into the tragedy.
WorkSafe is continuing to scope its involvement in the next phase of the response.
Police has signed an operational protocol for information-sharing with WorkSafe New Zealand, to avoid duplication of efforts and to facilitate the next stage of inquiries.
“Police will be formally speaking to witnesses and gathering as much information that we can to assist WorkSafe,” says Superintendent Anderson.
“A number of Police staff from around the country will be assisting with this next phase of work.”
WorkSafe’s role is to look into those organisations with a duty of care for people at the holiday park, and whether they were meeting their work health and safety responsibilities.
Police acknowledge formal identification of six victims
Superintendent Anderson says as of last night, all six victims had been formally identified.
“We are very relieved for the families that all their loved ones have now been returned to them.
“The last 11 days have been extremely difficult for them, waiting for their loved ones to be found and returned to them.”
Police will continue to provide ongoing wrap around support to the families of the victims.
“While we cannot take the pain away, we hope that being reunited with their loved ones can help give them some closure.
“Our family liaison officers have put in an immense amount of work to support these grieving families. I could not be more impressed by them in regard to their compassion, dedication and professionalism.”
Appreciation for hundreds of staff who worked on this operation
Superintendent Anderson says being able to complete an operation is always difficult, but commends all agencies involved for their assistance.
“On reflection, it has been a privilege to work alongside our colleagues, partners and volunteers for a common purpose.
“We have united to bring the families some form of closure out of this absolute tragedy.”
Police have utilised hundreds of staff from across several regions, including specialist staff over the course of this operation.
“At the peak of our operations, close to 100 Police staff were assisting on a daily basis.
“We all had one goal, and that was to reunite families with their loved ones, but also to support these families through what has been an incredibly difficult time.
“I’m immensely proud of every single person who has worked tirelessly on this operation.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney
After months of speculation, US President Donald Trump confirmed he will be nominating Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the US Federal Reserve. The appointment has been closely watched in the context of Trump’s ongoing conflict with the Fed and its current chairman Jerome Powell.
The immediate reaction to the announcement was a significant crash in gold and silver markets. After months of record highs and stretched valuations, spot prices for gold and silver dropped 9% and 28% respectively after the announcement. The US stock market also fell, with major indexes all reporting modest losses.
However, in the context of concerns over Trump’s interference with the Fed, the market crash can ironically be understood as an early vote of confidence in Warsh’s independence and suitability for the role.
Understanding why requires the context of Trump’s ongoing conflict with the Federal Reserve, and the importance of central bank independence to our current global financial system.
Trump’s war with the Fed
The last year has seen Trump in an unprecedented conflict with the Federal Reserve.
Trump appointed current Chairman Jerome Powell back in 2017. However, the relationship quickly soured when Powell did not cut interest rates as quickly as Trump wanted. In characteristically colourful language, Trump has since called Powell a “clown” with “some real mental problems”, adding “I’d love to fire his ass”.
The war of words descended into legal threats. Trump’s Justice Department announced an investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over alleged fraud in historical mortgage documents. Then last month, in a shocking escalation the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Powell relating to overspending in renovations of the Federal Reserve offices.
Both sets of allegations are widely viewed as baseless. However, Trump has tried to use the investigation as grounds to fire Cook. The case is currently before the Supreme Court.
Powell has hit back strongly at Trump, saying the legal threats were
a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.
Powell received support from 14 international central bank chiefs, who noted “the independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability”.
Historically, presidential interference with the Fed was a major cause of the stagflation crisis in the 1970s. More recently, both Argentina and Turkey have experienced significant financial crises caused by interference with central bank independence.
Who is Kevin Warsh?
Kevin Warsh is a former banker and Federal Reserve governor, who previously served as economic advisor to both President George W Bush and President Trump.
Originally Trump seemed likely to favour the current director of Trump’s National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, for the job. However, Hassett was widely viewed as being too influenced by Trump, intensifying fears about Fed independence.
Warsh appears more independent and brings a reputation as an inflation “hawk”.
What is an inflation hawk?
The Federal Reserve is responsible for setting US interest rates. Put simply, lower interest rates can increase economic growth and employment, but risk creating inflation. Higher interest rates can control inflation, but at the cost of higher unemployment and lower growth.
Getting the balance right is the central role of the Federal Reserve. Central bank independence is essential to ensure this delicate task is guided by the best evidence and long-term needs of the economy, rather than the short-term political goals.
An inflation “hawk” refers to a central banker who prioritises fighting inflation, compared to a “dove” who prioritises growth and jobs.
From Warsh’s previous time at the Federal Reserve, he established a strong reputation as an inflation hawk. Even in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008, Warsh was more worried about inflation than jobs.
Given Trump’s past conflict with Powell around cutting interest rates, Warsh might seem a curious choice of candidate.
More recently though, Warsh has moderated his views, echoing Trump’s criticism of the Fed and demands for lower interest rates. Whether this support will continue, or if his hawkish tendencies return leading to future conflict with Trump, remains to be seen.
The market reaction
The crash in gold and silver, and decline in stock markets, suggests investors view interest rate cuts as less likely under Warsh than alternative candidates.
Gold and silver prices typically rise in response to instability or fears of inflation.
The previous record highs were driven by many factors, including global instability, concerns over Fed independence, and a speculative bubble.
That Warsh’s appointment has triggered a market correction in precious metals means investors expect lower inflation, and greater financial stability. The US dollar trading higher also supports this view.
The past month has seen much discussion of the changing world order. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently decried the end of the international rules-based order and called for a break from “American hegemony”.
The global dominance of the US dollar is a crucial plank of US economic hegemony. Though Trump clearly remains sceptical of central bank independence, his appointment of Warsh suggests he recognises the importance of retaining the credibility of the US currency and Federal Reserve.
Whether that recognition can continue to temper Trump’s instinct to interfere with the setting of interest rates remains to be seen.
Henry Maher 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.
Mitch Evans has negotiated wet weather with aplomb to win the Formula E round in Miami, while fellow-Kiwi driver Nick Cassidy has retained the series lead.
Evans kept his Jaguar in front of Porsche’s Nico Müller and Pascal Wehrlein and 17 other rivals in the 41-lap race.
Without a point in the first two rounds, Evans produced an exceptional drive from ninth on the grid, taking advantage of a number of problems besetting cars in front of him.
A clever passing move on the 27th lap took Evans past German Müller in the key moment of the race, with the New Zealander eventually winning by 3.1 seconds.
It was his 15th career win in the class.
Despite a non-score in 16th, Mexico City winner Cassidy still leads the drivers standings for Citroen, two points ahead of Wehrlein’s 38.
The next round is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in late February.
Max Furse-Kee and Sharon Maccanico were on holiday together with her family, when they were killed in the massive landslide that swept away four other people at a Mt Maunganui campground.Supplied/ Police
“There was nothing that could have prepared us for this.”
A memorial ceremony for young landslide victim Max Furse-Kee will be livestreamed, his mother said on Sunday, to remember an impactful life cut short.
The teenager died, along with his girlfriend 15-year-old Sharon Maccanico and four others, after a landslide struck a Mt Maunganui campground on Thursday 22 January. His body was formally identified by a coroner on 28 January, the day that would have been his 16th birthday.
Max’s family was now trying to come to terms with life without him, his mother Hannah Furse said in a statement on Sunday.
“Our beloved Max was suddenly and unimaginably taken from us. Max was our communal baby, a beautiful soul who brought immense light, laughter, and love into our world.
“There was nothing that could have prepared us for this.”
While Max’s life was short in years, it had been “deeply meaningful” for those who knew him, she said.
The family had been “overwhelmed by messages of love, comfort, and support” sent to them from throughout New Zealand and around the world.
“While we do not have the capacity to respond individually, please know that we are reading them all, and they mean more to us than we could ever express.”
Furse said it was special to her that Max was spending time with people who loved him when the tragedy struck.
“Max was not doing anything reckless, and this tragedy was not the result of poor judgement or a lack of care. He simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We take great comfort in knowing that Max spent his final days with Sharon, someone he loved so deeply, and with her family, who loved him too.”
The memorial ceremony to celebrate his life would be held on Wednesday 4 February, but would be small, his mother said.
“We respectfully ask that attendance be limited to family and close friends. A live stream will be available for those who wish to honour Max from afar.”
The family asked for privacy as they grieved.
“We are grieving not only the person we have lost, but all the milestones, memories, and future moments that will now never be. No words are big enough to capture this pain.
“Please keep Max and all the other affected families in your thoughts. Love your loved ones, life can be heartbreakingly unfair.”
The family also wanted to thank those who had worked at the Mauao scene.
“We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), the Rapid Relief Team, all the machinery operators who worked extremely carefully, local Iwi, Kaitiaki and our incredible Police Family Liaison Officers.
“You have worked tirelessly to care for us and to bring Max home.
“We have seen how deeply this has affected everyone involved, and your compassion and kindness will help carry us through the days ahead.”
In-form New Zealand cyclist Ally Wollaston has powered to victory at the Great Ocean Race in Victoria, defending her title in emphatic style.
Wollaston became the first person – man or woman – to go back-to-back at the World Tour near Melbourne, timing her sprint to perfection for her FDJ-United Suez team.
It follows on from her brilliant display at last month’s Tour Down Under in Adelaide, where she won the first two sprint stages to lead overall going into the final stage, before finishing down the field.
The 25-year-old struggled on some of the race’s climbs on Saturday but managed to chase back to the pack.
She said her teammates played a key part in setting her up for the sprint.
“Amazing. So I owe it to my teammates today, if they weren’t there, there’s no way I would have gone back,” Wollaston said.
“After Tour Down Under, I struggled a little bit with sickness… so, yeah, I wasn’t hugely confident going into today. I had no idea whether that day would be today or not.
“And the first lap, I said to the girls, ‘I’m really struggling.’ So they just kept me grounded, and I had a few tough words in my race radio saying that I could do it. The belief was pretty strong from the team today.”
Wollaston’s winning time was just under four hours, seeing off British runner-up Josie Nelson and Spaniard Mireia Benito in the dash to the line.
“It’s amazing. It’s a real dream start to the season,” said Wollaston.
“And I think every year, you want to do better than the last, and I’ve already started this year better than last year. So, yeah, it’s a really dream start, and I’m so looking forward to carrying this momentum into the rest of the season.”
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Sam Ruthe celebrates after winning the mile at the John Thomas Terrier Classic indoors meet at Boston University, and setting a personal best, on 1 February (NZ time).Supplied/ Athletics NZ – Aaron Bui
New Zealand teenager Sam Ruthe has smashed the under-18 world record for the mile and put the athletics world on notice in a phenomenal run at an indoor meet in Boston.
The 16-year-old ran three minutes 48.88 seconds at the John Thomas Terrier Classic meet at Boston University, leaving the field in his wake.
Ruthe became the youngest athlete to ever a run a mile quicker than 3:50 and eclipsed the overall New Zealand mile record held by Sir John Walker for 44 years.
Walker set his record of 3:49.08 in 1982 outdoors at Oslo.
Athletics indoor and outdoor records are traditionally maintained as separate, distinct, and official, according to World Athletics because of the differences in track size – 200m vs 400m.
Ruthe’s time is also the 11th quickest run indoors by any athlete, although he is still 3.70sec outside the extraordinary world record posted a year ago by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Ruthe said his time far exceeded his expectations.
“When I was coming into this race I was expecting to run sub 3:55, I wasn’t really expecting a PB,” he told the track broadcast.
Part of his surprise came because he was still feeling the effects of the long journey to the US.
“I flew out here three days ago from New Zealand, 50 hour travel, my legs were feeling heavy a bit before this. I think I can be running faster, but I am super stoked with that.”
Ruthe said it was his first race on an indoor track, as New Zealand doesn’t have them.
“So to come here and run so fast so early on, it just makes me love indoor tracks. I want to come here as much as possible.”
Ruthe said his plan was to sit behind compatriot and training partner Sam Tanner during the race.
“He probably would have beaten me, but about 400m-600m in he did something to his Achilles. I really hope he’s okay.”
Ruthe was in second place heading into the final lap, taking the lead and winning by a comfortable margin.
The Boston race is the first of four of the mile races Ruthe plans to contest this month before returning to New Zealand for the national championships in early March.
Attribute to Inspector Sarah Thorn, District Road Policing Manager:
Southern District Police are urging all road users to slow down, stay alert and make safe choices as traffic volumes increase across the region over the coming week.
The message follows a tragic weekend, with two fatal crashes in Southern District between 7am Friday 30 January and 7am this morning [Sunday 1 February]. One of the crashes occurred in the Dunedin area, with another near Queenstown. Our staff have been busy with several other serious injury crashes that were also attended during this period.
There are quite simply too many crashes happening on our roads, and the consequences can be devastating.
Specialist police staff attend scenes like this, alongside other emergency workers. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who work in challenging and conditions. They provide critical care, secure scenes and conduct thorough investigations to understand what has happened. Their work is vital to ensure families receive the care, answers and support they deserve when faced with the death or serious injury of a loved one.
While investigations into these crashes are still in the early stages, the road safety message remains unchanged.
Wear your seatbelt, keep your speed safe, put away distractions, and never drive or ride fatigued or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The coming days are expected to be particularly busy on Southern District roads, with Waitangi Weekend travel combined with the annual Burt Munro Challenge motorcycle festival, being held in Invercargill from 4–8 February 2026.
The Burt Munro Challenge attracts several thousand participants, spectators and visitors from across New Zealand and overseas. It will significantly increase traffic volumes throughout the wider Southern District.
To help keep people safe, Southern District Police will have dedicated Road Policing staff highly visible across the district, including the use of checkpoints and fatigue stops.
Our focus is on prevention.
We want everyone to arrive safely at their destination, enjoy the events they are travelling to, and make it home safely.
All road users, including motorcyclists, are urged to:
Avoid driving or riding while tired or impaired
Stick to posted speed limits and drive to the conditions
Ensure vehicles and motorcycles are roadworthy
Wear appropriate safety gear, including seatbelts and approved motorcycle protection.
We remind the public that small decisions can have life‑changing consequences.
Everyone has a role to play in keeping Southern District roads safe.
Police encourage anyone who witnesses illegal or unsafe driving behaviour to report it.
Call 111 if it’s happening now or is an emergency. Call 105 for non-emergencies.
Starting today, New Zealanders can receive prescriptions for up to 12-months, saving them money and simplifying access to medicines, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“This is a commonsense change that will make a real difference to patients who have stable, long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and high blood pressure,” Mr Brown says.
“If their GP or other prescriber decides it’s appropriate and safe to provide 12-month prescriptions, these patients won’t have to get a new prescription every three months from their GP.
“They will visit their usual pharmacy to collect the repeats, and they will only pay a single prescription charge of $5 when they collect their first supply. Patients won’t need to pay a charge for the remaining repeats over the 12-month period.
“This is a win-win for both patients and health professionals. It means lower costs, and better access to medicines for New Zealanders with long term, stable medical conditions. It also reduces the time GPs and other prescribers need to spend renewing routine prescriptions, making it easier for other patients to get an appointment when they need one.
“This is just one of the practical, patient-focused changes the Government has made to give New Zealanders better access to healthcare, closer to home.
“We have also increased prescribing rights for health professionals like nurse practitioners, enabling them to prescribe a wider range of medicines within their areas of practice.
“Together, these changes mean New Zealanders will have quicker, easier, and more affordable access to the care and medicines they rely on.”
Environment Canterbury is warning boaties to stay clear of waters near Akaroa, following Saturday’s grounding of a tourist ferry.
The Black Cat catamaran remains beached at Nīkau Palm Valley Bay after getting into trouble in the afternoon.
Environment Canterbury says the boat was carrying 2240 litres of marine diesel fuel on board and around 120 litres of other oils in sealed containers and engines combined.
Regional On Scene Commander Emma Parr said a light fuel sheen was visible around the boat.
“A dedicated wildlife team is on standby, and response options will continue to be closely monitored and assessed throughout the day to minimise any environmental impact.”
A Tier 2 incident response was declared on Saturday, and an exclusion zone remained in place.
Parr said all vessels not involved in the response must stay clear of the area for safety reasons.
“A recovery plan is being developed as we continue working alongside the vessel owner, emergency services, the Department of Conservation, Maritime New Zealand, iwi, and the local community.”
Chris Friedman and his girlfriend Alona after the boat they were on sunk in Akaroa.Chris Friedman
He said there was a loud sound, as if the boat had run over something, and he thought it might be a rock. It was followed by a whizzing sound that could have been from the engine.
It said in the next few days they would be seeking and recovering any wreckage, securing electronic records – including photos, videos, and location data on people’s cellphones – and interviewing witnesses.
Black Cat Cruises said it was launching its own investigation, and would also be working with authorities.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Police were called around 1am to West Quay in Ahuriri where the man was located.123RF
A 46-year-old man is in a critical condition in Hawke’s Bay Hospital after being assaulted outside a night club in Napier early on Sunday morning.
Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley said police were called at around 1am to West Quay in Ahuriri, where the man was located unresponsive on the ground.
“Police have arrested a 21-year-old man and he is assisting with our investigation. No charges have been laid at this stage.”
Police are asking for assistance from the public should they have witnessed or have knowledge of the incident including any CCTV or video footage that may be available.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact police on 105 either online or over the phone using file reference number 260201/1791.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand