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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Blues v Fijian Drua

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Blues take on the Fijian Drua at Eden Park.

“The Drua are a dangerous side when you give them space. They play with a lot of flair and confidence, so for us it’s about being accurate, controlling the tempo and making good decisions under pressure,” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Bradley Slater 3. Marcel Renata 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry (c) 6. Torian Barnes 7. Anton Segner 8. Malachi Wrampling 9. Taufa Funaki 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Cole Forbes 15. Payton Spencer.

Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Sam Matenga 19. Che Clark 20. Jed Melvin (debut) 21. Finlay Christie 22. Xavi Taele 23. Codemeru Vai.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/live-super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-fijian-drua/

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Meitu 2025 Annual Results: Adjusted Net Profit Surges 64.7% YoY to a Record RMB 965 Million, Driven by AI Transformation

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 March 2026 – In 2025, Meitu, Inc. (Meitu) adhered to its “Productivity and Globalisation” strategy, with total revenues from continuing operations surging 28.8% YoY to RMB 3.86 billion. The company’s core business – Photo, Video and Design Products – generated RMB 2.95 billion in revenue, a robust 41.6% YoY increase, accounting for 76.6% of total revenues. Non-IFRS Adjusted Net Profit – a key indicator of core operational performance – soared 64.7% YoY to RMB 965 million. The revenue and profit growth were primarily driven by the rapid adoption of AI Agents integrated into its product portfolio, leading to a significant surge in global paying subscribers.

As of December 31, 2025, total paying subscribers reached an all-time high of 16.91 million, a substantial 34.1% YoY increase, with a subscription rate of 6.1%, up 1.4 percentage points from 2024.

AI Agent-Integrated Products Gain Explosive Popularity, Driving Strong Penetration and Monetization Growth

Following the July launch of RoboNeo (Meitu’s flagship AI visual design agent), Meitu integrated AI Agent capabilities across most of its product portfolio to enhance workflow automation and user experience.

As such, Meitu’s productivity tools segment achieved an all-time high 9% subscription rate, up 3.1 percentage points YoY. Paying subscribers of this segment grew to 2.16 million, representing a significant 67.4% YoY growth, with international paying subscribers more than doubling.

The segment comprises three core tools: DesignKit specializing in AI workflows for e-commerce design,Kaipai and Vmake specializing in AI workflows for video production.

Backed by AI Agent empowerment, in 2025, DesignKit established strategic partnerships with leading global e-commerce platforms including Alibaba, JD.com, and Amazon. Kaipai focuses on verticals including healthcare, education, beauty, insurance, and real estate, empowering industry users to create professional talking videos. In 2025, Kaipai’s MAU nearly doubled, and paying subscribers tripled. Vmake targets fitness and wellness markets, achieving rapid MAU growth in the U.S., with Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) reaching approximately USD 3 million.

Meitu’s leisure product segment including the Meitu app, BeautyCam and Wink maintained robust user engagement. The paying subscribers for the leisure segment grew 30.3% YoY to 14.75 million, driving the segment’s subscription rate to a solid 5.9%.

Globalisation Milestones: Expanding Footprint in High-ARPU Regions

Meitu’s Globalisation strategy achieved significant progress, with MAU in markets outside Mainland China surpassing the 100 million milestone, a 6.3% YoY increase. International paying subscriber growth accelerated in the second half of 2025, with the majority of new additions coming from high-ARPU regions including Europe, the Americas and East Asia, enhancing the sustainability of international monetization.

AI Technology Advancement & Industry Recognition

Following the training of its self-developed large vision model’s foundational capabilities in 2024, the company has since shifted its R&D priorities towards vertical-specific model training and application-level optimization to better address targeted user needs, consistent with its model-agnostic strategy. In 2025, the company’s total R&D expenses grew moderately by 3.8% YoY.

Meanwhile, on Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)’s “Global Top 50 Gen AI Mobile Apps” list, Meitu ranked first in the photo, video and design category by the number of featured products, with four apps selected. This external recognition reinforces Meitu’s position as a leading global AI application company in imaging, video and design.

Fueled by sustained R&D investment, Meitu is systematically deploying AI Agents into scalable productivity workflows. Going forward,Meitu will continue expanding diverse imaging skills to empower global developers and users with professional-grade AI creation experiences.

Hashtag: #Meitu

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/2026/03/28/meitu-2025-annual-results-adjusted-net-profit-surges-64-7-yoy-to-a-record-rmb-965-million-driven-by-ai-transformation/

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Persistent burglar sentenced, stolen property to benefit local charities

Source: New Zealand Police

A local charity will now benefit from stolen property following the sentencing of a North Canterbury burglar in Christchurch District Court last week.

Between March and April 2025, Police identified a pattern of late-night burglaries at residential construction sites in Rangiora and Rolleston where ovens, cooktops, lighting, and other new fixtures were being stolen.

Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Rachel Walker said the offending caused considerable stress, delays, and financial loss for homeowners and builders across the region.

“Last week, the 42-year-old man was sentenced to nine months and 14 days of home detention – amongst the sentencing conditions, the Judge ordered that all recovered property that had no known owner was to be donated to charity.

“This is a great outcome and ensures that the community benefits from the recovery of stolen property,” says Senior Sergeant Walker.

Habitat For Humanity was identified as a suitable charity for the remaining property.

“The remaining 52 appliances and fittings that were recovered by Police may now provide direct benefit to community groups and families who need them.

“This was a great piece of investigative work from the team and even better that this goes towards helping people in our communities,” Senior Sergeant Walker says.

Police continue to work closely with builders, developers, and communities to deter construction-site thefts.

If you witness any suspicious activity around these areas, please call 111.

Any non-urgent reports can be made through 105, either online or over the phone. Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/persistent-burglar-sentenced-stolen-property-to-benefit-local-charities/

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The House: Immigration changes to protect migrants but expand deportation

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dual British or Irish New Zealanders have no exemption to the new UK border rule. RNZ /Gill Bonnett

The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill has been debated in Parliament for the first time. The government bill, which would amend the Immigration Act, is being shepherded by National MP and Minister of Immigration, Erica Stanford.

The bill describes itself as aimed at better meeting the Immigration Act’s purpose of balancing “the national interest… and the rights of individuals”.

Amendments proposed in the bill would touch on both sides of that equation, with new tools to both deport immigrants and to protect them.

The bill’s main provisions are outlined below, followed by political responses.

The bill: Deportations

The deportation aspect of the bill strengthens the “deportation liability settings” for immigrants on resident visas. It also makes “deportation liability a more likely outcome for lower-level criminal offending”. (All quotes in this section are from the bill’s own Explanatory Note.)

After being granted a resident visa, a migrant remains liable to be deported for subsequent criminal offending. The period of continuing liability varies depending on the severity of the offence. Those liability periods (since receiving a visa) are lengthening.

For offences subject to imprisonment of at least three months, the period of liability lengthens from two to five years. For offences punishable by two-plus years imprisonment, the liability period changes from five years to 10. For offences culpable for five-plus years, the liability period changes from 10years to 15; and for offending punishable by at least 10 years’ prison, it changes from 10 years to 20.

The liability period resets if a migrant with a resident visa is absent from New Zealand for five years.

Criminal conviction outside New Zealand prior to a visa being granted always makes a visa-holder liable for deportation.

Other deportation liability changes aim to fill gaps in current legislation. The bill would clarify “the range of false and misleading submissions that can make a person liable for deportation; and that historic crimes that were committed outside New Zealand can give rise to deportation liability; and how administrative errors can give rise to deportation liability.”

Misleading and false information will also include omission of information that was potentially prejudicial.

More data sharing between government agencies would be allowed, to check things such as applicant’s claims, identity and character; or to check eligibility for funded services or benefits.

Anybody committing a criminal act while in New Zealand on a visitor or temporary visa, as well as those illegally in the country, would be unable to appeal a deportation order on humanitarian grounds.

Victims of serious offenders who are undergoing deportation proceedings would have “the right to be heard during their offender’s deportation proceedings, whether or not the offence against them is the basis of the offender’s liability for deportation.”

The bill: Migrant exploitation offences

The bill also includes changes to offences and penalties related to migrant exploitation. There are three particular changes.

The bill “extends the maximum prison sentence for migrant exploitation offending from seven to ten years”. (All quotes in this section are from the bill’s own Explanatory Note.)

It creates new offences relating to providing “incorrect or incomplete information to the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE)”, and also for failing to provide wage and time records when requested.

It would also extend MBIE’s timeframe for issuing infringement notices for some offences. Migrant exploitation offences have not always been readily or easily reported by victims, which has allowed some offenders to escape justice by dint of the time limits for proceedings allowed for by the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.

The bill will also seek to prevent the use of temporary asylum visas as a stalling tactic in order to apply for a different kind of visa. An asylum claimant who withdraws that claim would be ineligible for other visas.

Chris Penk. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon

Political agreement

The three governing parties are in favour, unsurprisingly. Chris Penk spoke for National, on behalf of the Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

“This bill provides practical, targeted improvements so that our immigration system can detect, deter, and respond to risk in a firm but fair way, welcoming those who contribute while being clear eyed about misuse and criminal behaviour.”

ACT’s Parmjeet Parmar noted that while ACT supports the bill, they want to further extend deportation liability for residence class visa holders. The current 10-year liability is being extended to 20 years for serious crimes. Parmar wants more.

“Why should consequences expire after 10 years or 20 years if somebody is on a residence class visa? I am proposing an amendment that it should be an unlimited period – the extension of deportation liability should be for an unlimited period – and I’m talking about serious criminal offending.”

New Zealand First offered no amendments. Casey Costello argued the bill fits with the view of American conservative political philosopher Russell Kirk that “every right is married to a duty; every freedom owes a corresponding responsibility”.

Political opposition

Labour’s Phil Twyford (a former associate minister of immigration), strongly opposed the bill.

“This bill is a pretty naked exercise in election-year politicking at the expense of migrants and refugees. The minister of immigration wants to look tough.”

Speaking from his experience as a minister and electorate MP he spoke about humanitarian cases that sometimes involved disabled children.

“I can tell the House that there’s no shortage of cases where Immigration New Zealand has made a sequence of poor decisions, where the interests of the children have not been given the weight required under our international treaty obligations. Justice is, in a significant number of cases, only finally delivered through an appeal to the tribunal on exceptional humanitarian circumstances.”

Ricardo Menendez March. VNP / Phil Smith

Green MP Ricardo Menendez March was no less incensed, though his focus was on undocumented migrants.

“This is a Trump administration-inspired, MAGA-loving piece of legislation that deserves to be put in the bin. If you heard the minister’s contribution, you would think that this is a completely different bill from the one I have in front of me.

“In the bill itself, it’s quite clear: this is a bill that seeks to demonise and target undocumented migrants by giving more powers to our immigration officials to target them if they suspect that they may be in breach of their visa conditions.”

Duncan Webb raised an issue with the proposed changes to rules about cancelling an asylum claim. He pointed out that if an asylum seeker fell in love with a New Zealand citizen while awaiting a decision on their claim, they would no longer be able to cancel their claim (in order to obtain a partnership visa) because doing so would make them ineligible for any visa.

Te Pāti Māori did not speak in the first reading debate.

  • The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Billis here.
  • The bill’s Parliamentary progress page ishere.
  • The Regulatory Impact Statement for the billis here.
  • The Departmental Disclosure Statement for the billis here.
  • The Hansard report of the first reading debate ishere.
  • The Education & Workforce Committee page – for information on submissions etc ishere.

RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Enjoy ourarticles orpodcast at RNZ.

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/2026/03/28/the-house-immigration-changes-to-protect-migrants-but-expand-deportation/

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One vaccine, many diseases: The study trying to find universal protection

Source: Radio New Zealand

The study was still in its early stages, but its aim was to deliver a wide range of protection against the flu, Covid and other diseases. 123rf.com

A single vaccine to protect against several diseases would be convenient and according to one study it may also be possible.

Stanford University School of Medicine professor Dr Bali Pulendran is a senior author on the American experiment looking at a vaccine that could protect against the flu, Covid and other diseases.

He told Saturday Morning that the study was still in its early stages, but its aim was to deliver a wide range of protection.

“What the experiments show is that if you deliver this vaccine intranasally, it can induce immunity that seems to be remarkably broad in conferring protection against many different strains of viruses, different strains of bacteria, but also allergens.”

So far, the vaccine was being administered through the nose on mice.

“It’s administered through a pipette into the nostrils of mice and ultimately, we think that as we move forward into translation, that this could be a nasal spray that’s administered to humans.”

Pulendran added it was important that the vaccine be administered nasally.

“Because we were trying to protect against respiratory infections. And if you wish to evoke the kind of immune response in a tissue, in a local site, I think the best mode of delivery is through a route that’s proximal to that site.”

He said if successful, this would be helpful should we encounter another pandemic in the future that is more dangerous than Covid-19.

“So that’s where I think this kind of universal vaccine that could be administered broadly to the population at the very earliest signs of the pandemic could be useful as a sort of a stopgap measure in imprinting immunity on a population-wide level for some period of time.”

He said it could also be useful during non-pandemic times such as the flu season where it can be distributed as a nasal spray.

Historically the way vaccines worked was by teaching the immune system to respond to a bit of a pathogen.

Pulendran said for this immunisation the idea was to “integrate” the innate and adaptive immune system to launch a response that was “broad” and “pathogen agnostic”.

The adaptive immune system was made of antibodies and T-cells. The innate immune system was something Pulendran referred to as evolutionarily “ancient” and was “broader” in its ability to protect against infections.

“Unlike the adaptive immune system, the innate immune system is not very specific. It’s really quite broad.”

“Regardless of the pathogen, whether it’s a microbe or a virus or a fungi, the innate immune system can launch this incredibly broad response.”

Although broad the innate immune system was not very “long lived”, lasting only a few minutes or days, potentially weeks.

“The strategy that we came up with was to leverage the incredible breadth of the innate immune system, but the longevity of the adaptive immune system.”

“So, we could allow the adaptive immune cells in the lungs to teach the innate immune system to keep going for far longer than just a few days or a few weeks and in this case, in mice, up to about six months or so.”

He said mice that had been given the intranasal vaccine and later infected with bacteria, allergens and viruses such as SARS and some coronaviruses were protected for three or up to six months.

“What’s happening now is that we are planning a study in humans where we could test this concept to see if this vaccine is safe and efficacious.”

“If that proves to be successful, I think this would represent a remarkable departure from how we view vaccines.”

Following the testing on mice the next step is a toxicology study on rabbits.

If the toxicology study produces positive results, Pulendran said they would look to do a “dose escalation study” in humans, a process they were fundraising for.

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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/2026/03/28/one-vaccine-many-diseases-the-study-trying-to-find-universal-protection/

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Two people injured in a house fire in Burnside, Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

About eight firefighters were still extinguishing the fire, a FENZ spokesperson said (file image). RNZ / Paris Ibell

Two people have been injured in a house fire in Christchurch Saturday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a roof on fire at a property on Wairakei Road shortly before 3pm.

A St John spokesperson says they responded with two ambulances and a rapid response unit.

They treated two patients on the scene – one in a minor condition, and transported another in a moderate condition to Christchurch Hospital.

Fire and Emergency South shift manager, Blair Walkin said about eight firefighters were still extinguishing the fire.

Police confirmed they were assisting emergency services at the blaze.

A police spokesperson understood ambulance staff were helping people at the scene.

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/2026/03/28/two-people-injured-in-a-house-fire-in-burnside-christchurch/

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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Hurricanes v Queensland Reds

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action, as the Hurricanes take on the Reds at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Kickoff is at 4.35pm.

Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Tyrel Lomax 4. Caleb Delany 5. Warner Dearns 6. Devan Flanders 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc) 8. Peter Lakai 9. Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Fehi Fineanganofo 12. Jordie Barrett (cc) 13. Billy Proctor 14. Bailyn Sullivan 15. Josh Moorby.

Bench: 16. Vernon Bason 17. Siale Lauaki 18. Pasilio Tosi 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Brayden Iose 21. Ereatara Enari 22. Lucas Cashmore 23. Jone Rova.

“We’re really looking forward to playing a top-quality side in the Reds, who have won four games on the bounce,” said Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/live-super-rugby-pacific-hurricanes-v-queensland-reds/

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Kieran Foran appointed Manly Sea Eagles head coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwis icon Kieran Foran has been named coach of NRL team the Manly Sea Eagles. Photosport

Famed Kiwis playmaker Kieran Foran has been named interim coach of the Manly Sea Eagles for the rest of the season, after the NRL club sacked Anthony Seibold on Friday.

Foran, 35, retired from top flight play at the end of last season. He chalked up 318 NRL appearances over 17 seasons, including 17 matches for the New Zealand Warriors in 2017.

He played 34 tests for the Kiwis between 2009 and 2025.

Foran has been an assistant coach to Seibold this season. The axe came quickly for Seibold, with three losses in their first three games – all at home – enough for them to sack him.

He had been head coach since late 2022.

“I love this club and I want to do everything in my power to continue the success we have had over many decades,” Foran said in a Manly statement after his appointment was announced today.

“The Sea Eagles have given me so many opportunities over the years and I want to continue to help wherever I can.

“We have a tremendous group of players and coaching staff, and I have every confidence that we can achieve a lot together this season.

“All focus now is preparing as best we can for our next game against the Dolphins next Thursday.”

Foran won a premiership with Manly in 2011. He played 196 games for the club in two stints.

Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn said Foran was “Manly through and through” and would pour all his energy into the new role.

“Kieran has given so much to this club over many years and the fact he has only recently finished his playing career is an advantage, he understands the current pace of the game and what we need to do to compete,” Penn said.

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/2026/03/28/kieran-foran-appointed-manly-sea-eagles-head-coach/

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ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for March 28, 2026

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on March 28, 2026.

Why is the West dancing to Israel’s tune? What’s leading us to disaster
DOCUMENTARY: Double Down News The Middle East is in flames. Britain is being dragged into an illegal war, the aims of which are entirely unclear, reports Richard Sanders of Double Down News. “It’s a war of choice, and the man who chose it is Benjamin Netanyahu. Why, yet again, is the West dancing to Israel’s

Cameras have quietly appeared in thousands of US cities – now, their integration with AI is sounding alarms
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jess Reia, Assistant Professor of Data Science, University of Virginia For decades, cars dictated urban planning in the United States. Few could have predicted that they would one day also double as nodes for surveillance. In thousands of towns and cities across the U.S., automatic license plate

‘Torture and genocide’ – UN expert Francesca Albanese denounces Israeli abuse of Palestinians
Democracy Now! AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, I’m Amy Goodman, with Nermeen Shaikh. NERMEEN SHAIKH: An Israeli court has closed an investigation into the death of Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old from the occupied West Bank who died in an Israeli jail six months after he was arrested, held without charges and accused of throwing

Ancient bones show dogs have been woven into human life for nearly 16,000 years
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Fairbairn, Professor of Archaeology, The University of Queensland Odin was a kelpie. Attentive and protective, with a happy smile and an endless hope for food, he succumbed to a terminal disease late last year. At his death, a deep sense of grief ripped through the household

The TGA wants to overhaul sunscreen labels. Will scrapping SPFs work?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Associate Professor in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Queensland On Thursday, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released a raft of proposed changes to improve how sunscreens are tested and sold, including simplifying sun protection factor (SPF) labelling. In its statement, the TGA highlighted

Why hasn’t the US military used force to secure the Strait of Hormuz?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation Since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February, Iran has retaliated by targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively shutting down the narrow channel of water. It’s caused a global fuel crisis,

Albanese gives tit-for-tat response to Trump’s criticism of Australia over Iran war
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese has pushed back at Donald Trump’s crack at Australia for not providing the United States with as much backing over the Iran war as the president believed it should. Trump, who made his comment about Australia when asked

The Olympics’ transgender athlete ban is a legal and moral minefield
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Nichol, Lecturer in Law, CQUniversity Australia The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed it is introducing a controversial new policy that will ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s events. The IOC stated eligibility for women’s events will be determined by a “once-in-a-lifetime” sex test, which

Keith Rankin Analysis – The Enigma of the Iranian President
Analysis by Keith Rankin. One puzzling feature of the present Israel-Iran war is the almost complete absence of reference – in the western media at least – to the Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian. The American president claimed that Israel had killed the Iranian President, but he was referring to the Supreme Leader. Killing Ali Khamenei,

Keith Rankin Analysis – USS Tripoli: What’s in a Name?
Analysis by Keith Rankin – This analysis was first published on 26 March 2026. One of the United States’ navy ships heading towards the Persian Gulf is the USS Tripoli. (USS = United States Ship.) How the heck did it get that name? (Will the next two United States’ naval ships be called the USS

Keith Rankin Analysis – Has New Zealand just signed up for World War Three?
Analysis by Keith Rankin – this analysis was first published on 24 March 2026. A minute after my radio-alarm went off this morning, I was ‘privileged’ to hear this deeply scary interview with the Deputy Prime Minister: Deputy PM Seymour on NZ, Iran and fuel relief, RNZ 24 March 2026. For most of the interview

Rift widens within French Polynesia’s ruling party following municipal election losses
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A rift within French Polynesia’s ruling Tavini Huiraatira party has widened this week, pitting the leadership “old guard” against a younger generation embodied by the territory’s President, Moetai Brotherson. The main reason for the rift is the outcome of the recent French municipal elections, especially in

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/28/er-report-a-roundup-of-significant-articles-on-eveningreport-nz-for-march-28-2026/

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‘I was really worried’: Local recounts Mt Albert party violence that sent four to hospital

Source: Radio New Zealand

Local Anna McKessar was putting her children to bed just before 10pm when a group of screaming teens came running towards her home. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins

Local residents had been growing frustrated by several out-of-control parties at two Mt Albert properties, before a violent incident last night left multiple people injured.

Police were called to Phyllis Street in the Auckland suburb shortly before 10pm after a fight broke out, and four people were taken to hospital.

St John said one person was in a serious condition, while three others were in a moderate condition.

Senior Sergeant John Nicol said police were still working to investigate and establish what occurred.

“Early information suggests that a vehicle was driven toward a group of partygoers, injuring two people – one with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries,” he said.

At least two other people were also moderately injured during the “wider disorder”.

Local Anna McKessar was putting her children to bed just before 10pm when a group of screaming teens came running towards her home.

“I was really worried about the young people that I could see and whether they were trying to get away, and whether they were safe.

Broken glass is on the corner of Springleigh Ave and Jerram Street. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins

“But I didn’t want to go out and put myself in danger or put my kids in danger. Once I heard the police arriving, I felt a little bit more comfortable that the young people who were out there were okay.”

Neighbours on the street are also reporting that partygoers were attacked with machetes.

The party was held at a property which has been listed on several short-stay accommodation platforms, McKessar said.

She said a few hundred people were gathered there before violence spilt out onto the road.

“They shouldn’t have been having this ruckus party.

“But I’m sure most of the kids that were there were just not thinking about the consequences, turning up to a party, just being classic teens. They didn’t come thinking all this would happen.

“They were all pretty freaked out, and I just feel really sad for them that that was what it turned into.

“You can have a big group of people, and only two or three need to come with ill intent to affect hundreds of lives.”

Anna McKessar said the party was held at a property which has been listed on several short-stay accommodation platforms. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins

She said locals had been growing frustrated after several parties at the property and a property next door, which were owned by the same landlord.

“We had a spate of parties a couple of years ago where we had real problems. The house was rented for a night or two to some teenagers, and it had just turned into this massive thing. They trashed cars on the street, and neighbours’ fences, and it was terrible. It happened at least twice.

“It’s pretty upsetting for neighbours, and the person that owns those properties has never shown up, never apologised, and shown no remorse.”

Another Phyllis Street resident, who did not want to be named, said she was woken by the sounds of the “violent” altercation.

“There was so many people out there screaming and shouting at each other and they were kicking the gates and fences of random houses down Phyllis Street. It sounded like people were getting really hurt.”

The broken glass is on the corner of Springleigh Ave and Jerram Street. RNZ / Jessica Hopkins

Residents of a nearby property Michael and Susan Wells said they had also seen the gathering and heard the screams.

The number of partygoers swelled, when news of the fight spread, Michael Wells said.

“We noticed more cars piling in, the traffic was quite busy, busier than usual.”

Residents of a nearby property Michael and Susan Wells said they had also seen the gathering and heard the screams. RNZ /Jessica Hopkins

Vehicles appeared to come from around the area, Susan Wells said.

“More cars coming down and doing burnouts at about 10, so people were still arriving at that point to try to check out what was happening and it looked like they wanted to join in”.

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/2026/03/28/i-was-really-worried-local-recounts-mt-albert-party-violence-that-sent-four-to-hospital/

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Gisborne vape sales crackdown: One-third of stores tested broke law

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Around a third of Gisborne vape stores subject to compliance checks last year were found to have broken the rules.

Of the 18 stores subject to controlled purchase operations (CPO), four failed for selling to minors and three failed for other reasons, including the sale of disposable vapes.

The results, from 1 February, 2025, to 28 February, 2026, were revealed in a Health New Zealand Official Information Act response to Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) questions.

According to the OIA, all 18 controlled purchase operations took place in June last year.

The data did not specify what each store failed for, and some retailers failed more than once.

Retailers told LDR they had since made changes to meet compliance, with one store saying they no longer sold vapes.

Which stores failed?

  • Gisborne retailers that failed a vape-related CPO in June 2025:
  • Friends Indian Takeaway & Dairy (61 Gladstone Rd)
  • Elgin Vape Shop (signposted as Elgin Dairy, 683 Childers Rd)
  • Grocery Hutt (384 Palmerston Rd)
  • Roebuck Road Superette and Takeaways (141A Roebuck Rd)
  • Bridge Store (19 Roebuck Rd)
  • De Lautour Road Superette (92a De Lautour Rd)

Of the stores that gave comments to LDR, Pushwinder Kaur of Friends Indian Takeaways and Dairy said failing compliance was a one-off. It had not happened in the 16-17 years they had operated the store.

They had paid their fine and now checked every ID for those who looked like they could be under the age range of 18-25.

Owner of Roebuck Rd Superette and Takeaways, Simranjid Singh, also owned De Lautour Rd Superette. Singh said both of his stores failed because of a lack of staff training and awareness of the rule changes for the sales of disposable vapes.

Singh and Kaur both said they did not sell the fruity flavoured vape products.

Manager of Grocery Hutt, Sidharth Chawla, said they no longer sold vapes but were looking at applying for a licence in the future.

Owner of the Elgin Vape shop, Shao-Qing Li, said, through an interpreter, she believed there was a mistake in the CPO results but had paid the fines.

Six Gisborne vape stores failed vape-related Control Purchase Operations in June 2025. Gisborne Herald

Vape sales compliance education ‘far more active’ – medical officer of health

Douglas Lush, a medical officer of health in the region, said vapes could be bought at 84 places (not only dedicated vape stores) within Gisborne city.

Lush said a store could be targeted for a CPO if there were any concerns from the public or a reason for suspicion.

Tai Rāwhiti now has a permanent compliance officer, who visits suppliers, educates them on the legislation and ensures they adhere to the rules.

“We’ve been far more active with vape sales than we have been in the past.”

On 17 June last year, intending to discourage youth from vaping, the government banned disposable vapes, which were cheap and had adverse environmental impacts, Lush said.

“Vaping has a small and declining role in helping long-term smokers kick smoking, but has no benefits for rangitahi who become rapidly addicted to the nicotine that is contained in the vapes.”

The National Public Health Service would continue to “investigate, educate and then prosecute retailers who do not adhere to the law”, he said.

The infringement fine is $2000 for each offence, and retailers can be fined for multiple offences.

Infringements ‘very concerning’ – mayor

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said it was “very concerning” to see retailers failing to meet compliance checks.

“Particularly where young people may have been able to access vaping products.”

As a response to an increase in young people taking up vaping, the council’s smoke-free and vape-free policy was updated last July to include vaping and the city centre.

According to the council report, results from a 2024 survey undertaken by the Action for Smokefree 2025 revealed that 21.9 percent of Year 10 students in Tai Rāwhiti vaped daily – 63 percent of these Māori.

Stoltz said the policy was “focused on promoting healthy public spaces and taking steps to ensure harmful habits are less visible and less normalised, especially for rangatahi”.

“Compliance and enforcement at the point of sale are matters for health agencies, but as a community we should all expect better when it comes to protecting young people.”

What do schools say?

LDR approached some schools near stores that failed the CPO.

Ilminster Intermediate is near De Lautour Road Superette, which failed. Principal Jonathan Poole said it was concerning that children were able to get hold of vapes with “ease” and how the various flavours available appealed to young people.

“It’s the accessibility that our kids have to these things… they’re either buying them, they’re getting other people to buy them, or they’re just bringing them from home.”

He believed other principals were experiencing the same issues.

Poole said he had seen an increase in vaping last year, but the school seemed to be “on top of it” this year. It was not just at intermediate and high-school level.

“Kids are vaping at a very young age.”

Poole was concerned kids were addicted to their vapes, which is why they were bringing them into school.

“It’s because it’s become a long-term habit already.”

When asking some children last year why they vaped, they responded with: “Oh, we just like the taste.”

“It’s the flavour, it’s like a lolly,” Poole said.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/gisborne-vape-sales-crackdown-one-third-of-stores-tested-broke-law/

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Ex-reservist ready for Kerikeri’s latest wild weather

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Northland community member helping with flood evacuations on Friday night says it was the worst weather he had seen so far this year.

The region has been in cleanup mode this weekend after intense flooding, causing slips and surface damage in communities throughout the Far North and the Bay of Islands.

Though the worst is likely over, MetService is currently forecasting rain and strong winds for Northland throughout Sunday.

Mita Harris leads the Kerikeri Cadet Unit, and with his military-grade Unimog, can access flooded properties that others cannot. A former reservist himself, he has owned the vehicle for around a decade, and has been able to help evacuate households and lift supplies.

RNZ/Tim Collins

He says this week saw the worst floods in the Far North so far this year.

“It was fast, it wasn’t slow, thank goodness for that,” Harris said. “If an event kept going like this for three or four days, we’d be in serious trouble.”

He said he had spent the week preparing the vehicle, following forecasts and keeping in close contact with low-lying areas where he had seen extreme flooding in the past. By the evening they were in the thick of it.

Northland flooding near Kerikeri – 27 March 2026 RNZ/Tim Collins

On a crumbled gravel road in a paddock in Waihou Valley, with flattened shrubbery and scattered debris everywhere, Harris said the high tide coupled with intense levels of rainwater had rendered the whole area submerged.

The area began to flood at around lunchtime on Thursday, rising with the tide at around 4pm until 10pm, he said.

“It just looked like a rippling moving desert, it’s ripped up the tarseal and just carried stuff off, it’s a huge volume that came in with a high tide as well which pushed everything out.”

Farming households in the area who depend on those roads were effectively stranded, though Harris was occasionally able to access them on the Unimog. One farming family had been completely cut off after part of their road collapsed into a stream underneath.

“On the Unimog, those levels were up to the bonnet, which is six foot two (1.88m).”

Northland flooding near Kerikeri – 27 March 2026 RNZ/Tim Collins

Northland Regional Council said 410 cubic metres of floodwaters were flowing down the Awanui River every second, a record.

In a statement, Regional Councillor Joe Carr credited the upgrade Awanui flood scheme from stopping communities like Kaitaia from an outcome comparable to the infamous 1958 floods, which recorded nearly half as much floodwater.

“This was an extraordinary event with very intense hourly rainfall which tested the scheme to its limits,” he said.

“There was some costly flooding and associated evacuations as stopbanks did overtop both upstream and downstream of State Highway 1 Bridge Waikuruki and in the lower Whangatane Spillway, all of which are works in progress, but overall the $15 million-plus, multi-year scheme upgrade performed very well.”

Northland flooding near Kerikeri – 27 March 2026 RNZ/Tim Collins

Harris felt as though there was very little that could be done to future-proof the communities in the actual floodplains.

“The infrastructure has been like this for a long time since they started putting roads in off the state highway in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.

“Technology’s giving us some early warnings about when these events are coming, so when to prepare… so families will do that, but the infrastructure, it is what it is.”

Northland flooding near Kerikeri – 27 March 2026 RNZ/Tim Collins

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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/2026/03/28/ex-reservist-ready-for-kerikeris-latest-wild-weather/

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Kaikohe reduces water usage, avoiding a water crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand

State Highway 10 leading to the Far North had been flooded on March 26. RNZ

Kaikohe has avoided a water crisis, as residents and businesses quickly reduced their usage.

The Northland town was warned on Friday night that it could run out of water if residents didn’t start conserving it.

Civil Defence said reservoir levels have now risen to 64 percent, easing some of the immediate pressure on the supply.

Teams are working to restore the water treatment plant after problems from Thursday’s storm.

The Far North District Council had made a social media post on Friday warning residents that “taps could run dry” unless residents reduced their water use.

“The council is asking all Kaikohe households and businesses to reduce consumption immediately or risk the town’s supply reservoirs running out of treated water tonight.”

Kaikohe residents are being asked to continue conserving water.

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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/2026/03/28/kaikohe-reduces-water-usage-avoiding-a-water-crisis/

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Kiwi ingenuity taking the danger out of weighing cattle

Source: Radio New Zealand

Scanabull is a new mobile phone app to estimate the weight of cattle from four and a half metres away. supplied

Waikato can lay claim to the development of the electric fence in the 1930s, thanks to inventor and farmer Bill Gallagher.

Now another another start-up from the same region is hoping to take the danger out of weighing cattle.

Scanabull co-founder Dan Bull grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Te Akau northwest of Hamilton.

After spending four years managing stock, he’s working full-time for his company, which has just raised $1.1 million to commercialise its WeighApp.

“Some animals are really easy to weigh, those really passive friendly lifestyle cows,” Bull said.

“When you get a big Friesian bull from 600 to 700 kilos – you can not weigh that if it doesn’t want to be weighed.

“They’re huge, they break posts, they break people, they do all sorts of random stuff, they fight each other.

“If you get in the way of that you’re in trouble, there’s a layer of danger there.”

Traditionally farmers use a bull pen or weigh crates, or experienced operators use their eyes to estimate the weight of cattle. supplied

Bull concedes farmers are used to handling unruly stock, but the new app should make life easier by measuring in a flash.

He said a cell phone can now be used to weigh cattle in the yards, from a range of about 4.5m away.

The technology uses a iPhone’s LiDAR sensor to scan the animal in 3D, sending out pulses and measuring how long they take to bounce back form different points.

Trials are underway with Silver Fern Farms, and the new technology was the talk of a recent Angus breeders tour when farmers visited a range of studs in Northland.

Bull said another handy tool in the pipeline can weigh stock out in the paddock.

“When they go for a drink at the trough, it can take an image of them, reports back and the farmer can see that on his or her computer at night.”

He said access to more accurate data across the supply chain will be an advantage.

From left: Scanabull founders Paul Sealock (founding engineer), Dan Bull (chief executive), Daniel Stuart-Jones (chief technology officer), and Ursula Haywood, (chief commercial officer). supplied

“Many animals are bought and sold based on visual estimates rather than objective measurements.

“And processors often have very little reliable data about animals before they arrive at the plant.”

The company’s raise was led by Sprout Agritech, with support from Enterprise Angels and Callaghan Innovation’s Deep Tech Incubator programme.

It’s hoping to get the new app to the market by the middle of the year following trials.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/kiwi-ingenuity-taking-the-danger-out-of-weighing-cattle/

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Why does a war in Iran affect NZ house prices and home loans? – Ask Susan

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ’s money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers your questions. RNZ

Got questions? RNZ has launched a new podcast, No Stupid Questions, with Susan Edmunds.

We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz.

You can also sign up to RNZ’s new money newsletter, ‘Money with Susan Edmunds’.

I am new to homeownership, and I wondered if you could do a piece sometime on how international conflict influences New Zealand’s mortgage rates and house values.

I am sure there are a few others like me who don’t really understand how an international conflict can influence domestic house prices!?

I can understand why it probably seems weird that something happening on the other side of the world can affect what people pay for their houses in New Zealand.

Here’s a very broad overview of how it works!

Interest rates: The war in the Middle East has disrupted the flow of oil around the world, and pushed up its price. That has made the cost of fuel more expensive. The concern is that this could make a whole range of other things more expensive, too – both in New Zealand and around the world. We use fuel to get things here, and the cost of that will increase, and we use fuel to make and distribute things within New Zealand, too. So prices are expected to rise.

The Reserve Bank’s job is to make sure that prices don’t rise too much. (Other central banks around the world are doing this in their countries, too.)

There is a concern that if prices rise in a sustained way, the Reserve Bank and other central banks may have to start increasing interest rates to try to slow the rate of inflation.

Already, we’ve seen wholesale markets (where banks borrow their money) pricing in the expectation of increases later in the year. So that means home loan borrowers have to pay more.

House prices: Rising interest rates tend to reduce buyers’ willingness to pay higher prices, because their home loans cost more to service. On top of that, this war and the resulting pressure on fuel prices is making a lot of households a bit nervous about how high prices can go, how they’ll cope – all that sort of thing. When people are feeling nervous or uncertain, they tend to be less likely to be willing to make big investments like house purchases – or to compete hard on price when they do.

So those factors combined mean that home loan rates are likely to be higher and house prices are likely to be lower than they would otherwise this year, because of the Middle East war.

An Israeli self-propelled howitzer artillery gun fires rounds towards southern Lebanon. AFP / JALAA MAREY

How likely do you think it is for any government to remove the option of withdrawing KiwiSaver money to buy a first home?

This is something I’ve heard discussed a bit over the years. New Zealand is a little unusual in allowing people to tap into their retirement savings to buy a house. There are valid questions about whether it’s appropriate.

But I think it would be very politically difficult for any government to take this option away. It’s a big part of how a lot of people get into the housing market, and I can imagine the backlash would be intense. A lot of people have made their savings and investing decisions on the understanding that they’ll be able to use it for a first home.

We do need to improve retirement savings rates for New Zealanders but I don’t think removing the withdrawal option will be top of the list.

How much does each married superannuitant get per fortnight after tax from 1 April?

Couples in which both people qualify will receive $854.08 after tax (assuming the tax code M) a fortnight from April 1.

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

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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/2026/03/28/why-does-a-war-in-iran-affect-nz-house-prices-and-home-loans-ask-susan/

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Scholarships uphold the legacy of the Māori Battalion

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ngarimu scholarship board member and past winner Dr Kahurangi Waititi (left), 2026 scholarship recipient Uenuku Jefferies (center) and Māpuna host Julian Wilcox (left). RNZ/Pokere Paewai

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships continue to uphold the values of the Battalion even after the death of its last surviving member, Sir Robert “Bom” Gillies.

The recipients of the Scholarships were announced on Thursday in Parliament.

The scholarships were established in 1945 to assist Māori achievers to succeed in education and to contribute as leaders in New Zealand and overseas. Over 300 of them have been awarded.

Past winners include Willie Apiata VC, Professor Whatarangi Winiata, Hekia Parata, Dr Patu Hohepa and Dr Monty Soutar.

Ngarimu scholarship board member and past winner Dr Kahurangi Waititi told Māpuna the scholarships are about honouring the legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC.

“Now that we have lost our last mōrehu (survivor) they actually become really important. They’ve always been really important and it was beautiful in the time where the soldiers and the widows were on this board selecting.

“I was selected for one of my scholarships in that time. And so I think with them all gone now, it becomes really important that we remember what their key and core values were. But more so, how do we carry those values forward in the application of these scholarships? How do we remember? And what’s it going to look like in 50 years when there’s that degree of separation from our soldiers?”

Waititi’s father Major John Waititi, also known as “John the Major,” was the last surviving commanding officer of the Battalion and a former scholarship board member, he died in 2012.

“He absolutely loved this board, which is why I said yes when I was asked to come on. I know this was a heart kaupapa for him, and I could do nothing else but say yes to it when I was asked,” she said.

Waititi described her father as a “weaver of people” and there was some pressure stepping into a role with the board.

When she first applied for the scholarship there were still veterans and widows of veterans on the panel that she had to present to.

“They will ask the questions, they will interrogate you if possible. Yes, it was such a scary, scary situation for me. But I think my whole premise there was that at the time we were making stories, short stories about my father through video and through film. And so I actually had a really good visual presentation to give them and by the end they had tears,” she said.

This years applicants are really pushing the envelope and establish stories for their own time, she said.

There are scholarships available for Doctoral, Masters, Undergraduate and Vocational training, as well as the Ngarimu Video and Waiata competitions which Waititi said gives people different methods to express the stories of the 28th Battalion.

“There’s something about [Battalion soldiers] wanting a better future and them wanting their people to thrive. And I think that’s a key tenant within these scholarships as well. And so, yeah, in terms of the legacy, I think I’m actually excited to see where it goes in the future in terms of how we express and how we retell these stories.

“As scary as it is to have them all gone now, I think we’re in control of, you know, not over-romanticising, understanding the whakapapa of the trauma that came into our communities because it had nowhere else to be processed,” she said.

Doctoral scholarship recipient Uenuku Jefferies credits his koro as the reason he is receiving the scholarship and the reason he speaks te reo Māori every day.

His rangahau, or research, is centred around tikanga, especially around pre-colonial ceremonies and traditions and weaving that with his work as a filmmaker.

“So the main pātai is how might a Māori approach documenting pohoro or tāmoko alongside the reclamation of pre-colonial ceremonies and traditions.”

In May 2022 Jefferies said he was fortunate enough to reclaim his puhoro, tattoos on his legs, thighs and back.

“Just like my practice as a filmmaker, decolonising narratives is a big thing. But not only just narratives, but also our beliefs.”

As part of his PhD, he will create four short documentaries.

“There are so many aspects in a documentary that create beauty. And that may be that that footage, or the kōrero that is captured is actually given back to the haukāinga. It may be that my whānau took place within the production, or the economic value of the project went back to the people and so that’s how we measure success… we can’t just think inside the box and I know that the 28th Māori Battalion did that.”

The 2026 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship recipients:

Doctoral:

  • Uenukuterangihoka Tairua Jefferies (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Maniapoto)
  • Arna Whaanga (Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa)

Masters:

  • Xavia Tuera Connolly (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāruahine, Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Whakaue, Whakatōhea, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Whātua)

Master of Education Research:

  • Tiffany Radich (Ngāti Awa)

      • Undergraduate:

      • Temaea Teaeki (Ngaiterangi, Kiribati)
      • Isla Mariana Fellows (Ngāti Mutunga ki Taranaki, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri)
      • Hinerangi Nicholas (Tūhoe, Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Kuki Airani)

      Vocational Education and Training:

      • Tūī Mārama Keenan (Ngāti Porou)
      • Tiffany Daphne Shirtliff (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou)
      • Janine Aroha Tito (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Mahuta)

      Ngarimu Video Competition:

      • Skyla Storm Ngawaki Te Moana (Te Whānau a Apanui)
      • Florence Kararaina Ngā Mata O Manaiawharepu Grace (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Whānau a Apanui)

      Ngarimu Waiata Competition:

      • Hineata Durie-Ngata (Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakatere, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Awa)
      • Mahaki Chambers (Ngāti Porou)

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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/2026/03/28/scholarships-uphold-the-legacy-of-the-maori-battalion/

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NRL: What we learnt from Warriors’ defeat to Wests Tigers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Warriors reflect on their comprehensive loss to Wests. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Analysis: After sweeping all before them over the opening weeks of the NRL season to sit atop the competition table, the Warriors have crashed back down to earth with a limp defeat to Wests Tigers.

Against a team given little chance without one of its most decorated players, the Auckland side took their foot off the throat way too early – midway through the first half – and paid a heavy price on the scoreboard, falling 32-14.

The Warriors were welcoming back star half Luke Metcalf from a season-ending knee injury that had kept him on the sidelines for nine months and his addition was supposed to take them to a new level.

It did, just not the one envisaged.

To some extent, this seemed one of those games where the ball simply didn’t bounce their way, but coach Andrew Webster wasn’t buying that.

“I’ll give you an example,” he said. “When they put up those kicks and they’re challenging for high balls, there’s a deflection and they score a try, there’s a reason they’re getting those good field-position kicks, and it’s from our mental errors or us doing something wrong.

“When you think, ‘Oh, the ball didn’t go our way,’ we’ve got the opportunity to earn everything and make our own luck, but we just weren’t highly concentrated enough.”

He also didn’t accept the return of major contributors like Metcalf and co-captain Mitch Barnett from their long-term injuries would inevitably disrupt the continuity built up without them.

“Last week, we were unsettled,” he said. “We went to Newcastle with last year’s NSW Cup spine in the second half, but next man up, everyone knew their job.

“We had three-four guys out last week – no Capewell, no Charnze.

“Good players come back in. We probably had one session together and it was a good session, I though they clicked really well.

“We will get better with cohesion as we get more fit bodies and everyone’s training more, but I don’t put it down to that.”

Sometimes you need a setback to keep yourself truly grounded with a sense of desperation. The coming weeks will show how the Warriors respond.

Jacob Laban scores a try against Wests Tigers. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Here are some of the takeaways from the loss to the Tigers.

Best player

Halfback Tanah Boyd had another influential game, despite the presence of Metcalf outside him, but perhaps the top performance of the night came from second-rower Jacob Laban.

He scored the Warriors’ second try, was centimetres away from another in the second half and made several impactful runs, breaking three tackles and making one linebreak, with 26 tackles in his 46 minutes on the field.

Veteran wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck led his team in running metres (168), but also made two horrendous errors under the high ball that saw the Tigers score back-to-back tries before halftime.

Dally M-leading front-rower Jackson Ford put in another sterling shift of 69 minutes and emerged as top tackler with 45, but also made a couple of costly errors.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored two tries from centre, but missed six tackles.

Bear in mind, the Warriors collectively missed 50 tackles, so this wasn’t a complete performance by any means. Even Laban missed five.

Key moment

The Warriors were ahead 10-0 and cruising midway through the first half, when centre Adam Pompey was sin-binned for impeding the Tigers, as they rushed to take a quick tap from their 20 to start a seven-tackle set.

Somewhere in his absence, they drifted off the rails.

Pompey was back on the field and his team were at full strength, when they scored three tries in quick succession to lead 16-10 at the break, and then they continued that momentum with the next try to put the contest out of reach.

Webster identified where it all went wrong: “Discipline in the back end of that first half, I’d say.

“Sin-binning, offsides at the wrong time … we went from a team that was trying to earn everything really well and had the right things at the front of our mind, but we conceded a try and kicked off, forced a turnover and didn’t get to dummy half, those sorts of things.”

Best try

Boyd worked the rightside attack for all three Warriors tries, sending the ball wide for Nicoll-Klokstad’s pair, but finding Laban with a delightful short ball to punch through closer to the posts.

Notably, that was the only try Boyd managed to convert and his other misses really put his side under pressure late in the game, when they tried to stage their comeback.

Injuries

The Warriors seemed to come through the game relatively unscathed, although Leka Halasima left for a concussion check during the second half, which he passed, and he subsequently returned to the field.

Leka Halasima left the field for a head check after being tackled on the tryline. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Before kickoff, Webster made a last-minute tweak to his line-up, bringing Taine Tuaupiki into fullback, moving Nicoll-Klokstad to centre and dropping Ali Leiataua to the reserves side for NSW Cup.

“I thought Taine did a fantastic job, when he came on in round two and what he did last week at the Knights, so I thought he deserved to retain his position,” Webster said. “Charnze certainly didn’t deserve to be left out of the side and he’s played international footy at centre.”

Tuaupiki left the game late, apparently cramping up, allowing Nicoll-Klostad to slip back into his more familiar role.

In his first run since suffering his season-ending knee injury last June, Metcalf seemed to get through without setback, but that will become more obvious in the next few days.

“I thought Luke did some really good things,” Webster said. “Like very player tonight, I reckon he’s got some things he wishes he could have his time back on, but I think everyone’s in that boat tonight.”

What the result means

The Warriors’ brief flirtation with the top of the table ended, slipping behind unbeaten Penrith Panthers for now, but in danger of falling further, with Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights also still to play this weekend.

Their winning run ends at three games, so they lose the chance to match the 2018 side that won five to start their campaign.

Wests Tigers

When both their veteran halves limped off last week against South Sydney, few believed the Tigers had enough on their roster to make up for their potential absences.

Jarome Luai will miss several weeks with a knee injury, but Adam Doueihi took the field against the Warriors and cut them to shreds with his running game, while Luai’s replacement, Jock Madden, had them in fits with his kicking game.

Doueihi’s suspected hamstring strain was actually a groin strain and coach Benji Marshall was proud of how his newlook halves combination performed.

“It’s a credit to him,” Marshall said. “He could easily have pulled the pin and said, ‘Don’t play me.’

“He had a halves partner [Madden] who had no footy this year. He’s been on the bench for two games, biding his time, but had a great pre-season – I thought he was the difference tonight.

“He put Adam into positions where he could just run, he did all the kicking and took all the pressure off Adam, and let him just play.

Jock Madden had the Warriors in fits with his kicking game. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

“His grandfather died last week and he didn’t make the funeral, because he wanted to play for the team. He said his grandfather would have wanted him to play … his grandfather would have been really proud of him.”

Obviously, this is not the same Tigers outfit that collected three consecutive wooden spoons and Kiwis should be cheering for Marshall, who is the only NZ or Pasifika coach operating in the NRL.

They are now locked in a five-way scramble at the top of the table and visit Parramatta Eels next week.

What’s next

The Warriors are away for their next two fixtures against Cronulla Sharks on Easter Sunday and Melbourne the following Saturday. In two weeks, they could easily be 3-3 for the season.

These games will give them a solid understanding of where they sit among the contenders or pretenders, before they return home to host Gold Coast Titans.

The Sharks have won one of three heading into this weekend, while the Storm dropped their Grand Final rematch against Brisbane Broncos last week.

“We’re not overreactive in there,” Webster said. “We’re not happy, we’re very frustrated and we missed the mark tonight – we know that.

“We know what we’ve got to work on – it’s clear already for us. We have to work on the ‘how’ and play the way we want to play.”

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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/2026/03/28/nrl-what-we-learnt-from-warriors-defeat-to-wests-tigers/

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Drive-off thefts a concern as people struggle with fuel costs

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government says for now there is sufficient supply of fuel and no need for stockpiling. Quin Tauetau

With prices at the pump rising and some having to choose between fuel or food, drive-off thefts have become a concern at gas stations.

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is talking to its members over the increasing possibility of people driving off without paying for fuel.

The government has outlined the triggers that could force the country into fuel rationing but says for now there is sufficient supply and no need for stockpiling.

MTA spokesperson Simon Bradwell said drive-offs are nothing new, but could worsen because of tough financial times.

“Already people are feeling the pressure on their household budgets in their back pocket anyways.

So in a situation like that there’s always going to people that do try, you know, drive-off theft, try and alleviate the financial pressures on themselves.”

Bradwell said people need to remember station staff are not responsible for their fuel woes.

“The person behind the counter isn’t to blame for any of this, they’re just doing their job. Nobody deserves to cop an earful about what’s happening.”

He said businesses are doing what they can to keep prices down.

“It’s actually in their best interest to keep people coming to their businesses.”

Chief executive of Māngere Budgeting Services Trust Lara Dolan said some people can no longer afford the rising cost of fuel.

“Obviously additional costs for fuel [are] putting additional pressure [on] already struggling families.”

Dolan said demand for food had risen by a quarter in the last three weeks as fuel price rises hit, and most of their clients could not afford the increases.

“We are all hoping that the conflict is not going to go on for much longer because it does hurt and it does hurt everyone.”

She said people filling up can face paying nearly $20 more each time.

“It does hurt people with children, people without children – it just hurts everyone.”

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/2026/03/28/drive-off-thefts-a-concern-as-people-struggle-with-fuel-costs/

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Savannah Guthrie to return to Today show after mother’s disappearance

Source: Radio New Zealand

After a two-month absence sparked by her 84-year-old mother’s apparent abduction, Savannah Guthrie will return to NBC’s Today show next month.

Former co-host Hoda Kotb said after her emotional interview with Guthrie aired that the broadcaster will return on the 6th of April.

“I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not. But I can’t not come back, because it’s my family,” Guthrie said.

“I think it’s part of my purpose right now. I want to smile and when I do, it will be real and my joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful and when it’s not, I’ll say so,” she continued.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on 1 February. Authorities believe she was kidnapped or taken against her will.

The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man who was outside Guthrie’s front door in Tucson on the night she vanished.

Guthrie shared that she and her siblings knew that their mother’s disappearance wasn’t a case of a person wandering off, given the pain she was living with and knowing that blood was found on the front doorstep and a camera had been yanked off.

She said they knew something was very wrong and her brother knew immediately that their mother had been kidnapped for ransom.

The longtime co-anchor said they don’t know that their mother was taken because of her, but acknowledged that it would make sense and that was “too much to bear.”

While she said some of the purported ransom notes were fake, Guthrie said she believed the two that she and her siblings responded to were real.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/28/savannah-guthrie-to-return-to-today-show-after-mothers-disappearance/

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Why is the West dancing to Israel’s tune? What’s leading us to disaster

DOCUMENTARY: Double Down News

The Middle East is in flames. Britain is being dragged into an illegal war, the aims of which are entirely unclear, reports Richard Sanders of Double Down News.

“It’s a war of choice, and the man who chose it is Benjamin Netanyahu. Why, yet again, is the West dancing to Israel’s tune?

“I’ve made a number of videos exposing Israeli crimes. This one is different. It’s directed at conservatives and people generally who support the state of Israel.

“I believe our indulgence of Israel is not just morally wrong. It’s against the interests of the US and the UK and ultimately against the interests of Israel itself.

“It is leading us all to disaster. Palestine is the place you come thundering, crashing into the buffers, the limits of the Western liberal moral imagination.

“The tragedy and complexity of Israel is that it’s both a product of the most unspeakable racism and a cause of it. Zionism was born from the suffering of Jewish people in Europe, culminating in the Holocaust, from a desire for a safe haven, a territory where Jews would for once be the hosts and not the eternal guests.

“It was framed as a return to a historic biblical homeland. and for its supporters. These two factors give it an entirely different complexion morally from other enterprises where predominantly European populations have settled far-flung parts of the world.

Dispossession and subjugation
“There’s no doubt that the Zionist dream has enormous emotional power. The problem, of course, is the other side of the equation, the people. It was inflicted upon the Palestinians whose experience of dispossession and subjugation was no different from that of countless other peoples subjected to European colonialism.

“In fact, arguably, it’s been considerably worse than many, precisely because of the licence and indulgence granted to the Israeli state.

“Let’s lay out the bold, indisputable facts. In 1948, more than 80 percent of the Palestinian population of what became Israel fled their homes. Now, if you want to believe this was not an act of deliberate ethnic cleansing, fine.

“What’s undeniable is that they were never allowed to return. In 1947, they were there. In 1949, they were not. The granting of the vote to that small fragment of the Palestinian population that remained provided a democratic fig leaf for the new state, one that was blown away once the Israelis occupied Gaza and the West Bank in 1967.

[embedded content]
The End of Israel                                     Documentary: Double Down News

“There Palestinians have no right to vote for the political entity, the state of Israel that controls their lives. Jewish settlers, on the other hand, occupying the same territory do.

“Even in East Jerusalem, which as far as the Israeli government is concerned has been formally annexed to Israel, Palestinians cannot vote. Political rights depend upon ethnicity. That is not democracy.

“Israel is and has always been a state whose defining feature is that it’s structured to ensure the domination of one ethnicity over another. What else does the term a Jewish state mean?

‘Elephant in the room’
“This is the elephant in the room. the simple, blindingly obvious, undeniable fact that the Western political media class has decided that we must never mention or acknowledge, despite the fact that all of the world’s leading human rights organisations, including the Israeli NGO B’Tselem, have denounced Israel as an apartheid state.

“Now scour the history of the modern world. No people has ever resigned itself to being second class citizens in their own country. Spend just 10 minutes at a checkpoint in the West Bank and you get it.

“The disfiguring dehumanisation, the humiliation of elderly men and women forced to stand in the sun for hours waiting for 18-year-olds to search them.

“The brutalisation of young men in particular, the daily control of rage that is the lot of every Palestinian. It is simply emotionally, psychologically intolerable.”

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/28/why-is-the-west-dancing-to-israels-tune-whats-leading-us-to-disaster/