Just beyond South Korea’s famed Hangang River, where visitors specifically stop for steaming hot convenience‑store ramen, the scent of flat whites and freshly baked mince pies drifts from a small inner‑suburb shop.
A logo illustration of a finger heart (popularised by K-pop idols) holding a fern in one hand and a pie in the other greets customers wondering: “Is this really New Zealand pies?”
Offering expats a slice of home and locals a new flavour, Auckland Pie Garage owner Kristine Kim welcomes them in: “Kia ora!”
Auckland Pie Garage’s interior is filled with the Kiwi vibe.
Supplied / Auckland Pie Garage
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
The fallout from war between the United States, Israel and Iran has dominated global oil markets. And not just because the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about 20% of global oil and gas, remains effectively closed to shipping traffic.
Deep uncertainty about how long the disruption will continue has added a persistent “risk premium” – an extra cost built into oil prices to account for the risk of disrupted supply.
Rising insurance costs, reduced ship traffic and longer transit routes avoiding the Middle East have all added further friction to global oil supply chains.
An optimist might say this will all be sorted out quickly and soon enough we will be back to “normal”. And oil prices have retreated back below US$100 per barrel this week, on renewed hopes of a peace deal.
But they’re still elevated. Before war broke out in the Middle East, benchmark oil prices had hovered in the range of US$70–80 a barrel since 2023. That’s near where they’ve sat, on average, in “normal” times for much of the past two decades.
But what if there is no way back to “normal”? What if the fundamental challenge now isn’t the short-term disruption in supply, but the realisation that the days of cheap oil may have come to an end?
Oil’s invisible reach
Higher oil prices have a ripple effect that typically starts at the fuel pump. Petrol, diesel and jet fuel are top of mind. Driving to work, moving goods and travelling all become more expensive.
Many fertilisers, too, are petrochemical products. That means farming around the world is exposed to a shock.
But the list of goods that rely on oil and gas goes far beyond fuel and fertiliser. According to the US Department of Energy, petrochemicals (derived from oil and gas) are involved in the manufacturing of more than 6,000 everyday products.
In many cases, this is because petrochemicals are a key input in the production of plastic. But other products on the list may be surprising, such as aspirin, dishwashing liquid, toothpaste and dyes.
Building materials used in construction warrant a special mention. Asphalt, insulation, paint, pipes, membranes, fittings and other composite materials are mostly oil byproducts. Manufacturing bricks and many ceramic products is also gas-intensive.
Add transporting it all to the construction site, and the oil crisis becomes another headwind to housing affordability.
Is this the end of cheap oil?
In 1999, an article in The Economist quoted Don Huberts, who was then head of Shell Hydrogen at oil company Royal Dutch/Shell:
The stone age did not end because the world ran out of stones, and the oil age will not end because we run out of oil.
True enough, but what about cheap oil? Can that come to an end?
But almost every time analysts predicted the world was about to run out of oil, price hikes were met with new discoveries, technological improvements and oil substitution.
Companies such as Chevron have pioneered new techniques, such as deepwater drilling.
Extracting oil from shale through fracking unlocked new supplies, especially in the US. This helped the US become the world’s largest producer of crude oil in the late 2010s.
This time, however, production facilities across the Middle East have suffered major damage, which may take years to repair. The central question is no longer whether oil exists in the ground, but whether it can be supplied cheaply, reliably and at scale again.
Just in time vs just in case
Until 2020, global economies largely operated in “just-in-time” mode. You only take what you need, when you need it, assuming it will always be there for you. This system works efficiently – and is cheap – until something goes wrong.
Lessons from the pandemic brought back the idea of “just in case”, particularly as the war in Ukraine caused further disruption.
“Just in case” means that you keep more than you need, so if someone closes the tap, you can keep all else running. However, this creates new costs.
To keep more oil and gas than you need, you don’t just have to pay for the extra stock. Countries also have to build new storage and infrastructure, and pay more in insurance.
You refine your management to make sure it all works properly, so that the extra cost added is part of a larger contingency plan. But someone must foot this bill.
An oil and gas storage facility at Grays in the United Kingdom.Neil Hall/EPA
How the world will have to adapt
The end of cheap oil does not mean the end of oil use. It means higher costs embedded throughout daily life.
Pressure on governments to subsidise fuel, expand stockpiles and intervene in markets can mean larger budget deficits. Households will have less money left for non-essentials as the cost of living bites even harder.
We will adapt, as we are already beginning to see in the current crisis. There are signs people around the world are travelling less, using more public transport and electrifying cars and homes.
Industries may invest more in efficiency and green energy not out of environmental idealism, but cost necessity.
But there may still be a rocky road ahead, and we may never get back to “normal”. Adaptation does not end oil dependence; it reshapes it. The challenge is managing a world in which oil remains essential, but is no longer cheap, stable or politically neutral.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Kadlec, Researcher, Athlete Health and Performance, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University
It’s an athlete’s worst fear. Hearing a loud “pop” and feeling severe pain are usually the first signs you’ve torn your anterior cruciate ligament, also known as the ACL.
Research suggests ACL injuries are becoming increasingly common across all age groups. Children as young as ten are rupturing their ACLs, with many never regaining their pre-injury strength or ability.
So how do ACL injuries happen? And what makes them so serious?
Why the ACL matters
The ACL is an indispensable part of your knee joint. Its main job is to keep your knee stable by stopping it from rotating or extending too much. This is especially important if you regularly twist, pivot or land on your knee joint.
ACL injuries are most often a result of the fatigue-failure process. This is the idea that repeatedly using and putting strain on the ACL, without proper training, makes it significantly weaker over time.
Doing specific strength exercises and regular physical activity can help slow this process. But if you don’t do these activities, even minor movements can gradually weaken your ACL.
Importantly, ACL injuries don’t just affect elite athletes. Injury rates are just as high in amateur and community sport, where access to athletic rehabilitation is typically more limited. This means people playing at amateur levels can face longer, more uncertain paths to recovery compared to professional athletes who have a specialist team of medical and performance staff. As a result, many amateur athletes stop playing sport altogether.
Why are ACL injuries so severe?
Unlike many other tissues in the body, the ACL has a very limited capacity to heal. Once torn or damaged, it can’t regenerate in a way that restores its original structure or function.
ACL injuries impact the stability of the knee, often causing the joint to “give way”. This leads to physical symptoms such as pain and swelling. But ACL injuries can also damage other parts of the leg including the meniscus, cartilage and other ligaments.
Over time, a person with an ACL injury may develop osteoarthritis, a painful condition where the cartilage in your knee breaks down and causes the bones to rub together. Even with appropriate medical care, one in two people who tear their ACL will have knee osteoarthritis.
The road to recovery
Recovering from an ACL injury can be a long, and at times painful, process that typically lasts between nine and 12 months. Any attempt to speed this up increases the risk of re-injury. And subsequent ACL injuries often have more severe consequences than the initial rupture.
The recovery process starts with diagnosis. This usually involves seeing a medical professional, such as a GP or physiotherapist, in a clinic. They often use MRI imaging to assess the damage to your ligaments and knee joint.
Many people will then have surgery to reconstruct their torn ACL. This requires the surgeon to take a piece of suitable tissue, known as a graft, from another part of the body to put it where the torn ligament was. Using special screws, they then secure the replacement tissue to the bone.
No matter how you treat an ACL injury, rehabilitation is key. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can help you rebuild the strength and flexibility of your knee joint through exercises focused on reducing swelling and restoring your range of motion.
Rehabilitation is particularly important if you’re planning to return to sport. As you heal and recover, you’ll go through several phases of exercises. By taking this gradual approach, you’ll be better prepared to perform more high-risk movements, such as pivoting or jumping.
Increasingly, ACL rehabilitation prioritises psychological health. This has given rise to a biopsychosocial approach to recovery, where recovery relies on physical healing as well as a positive mindset. Athletes can use strategies such as goal setting to manage the emotional ups-and-downs of sustaining a serious injury. This approach also recognises how crucial an athlete’s support network, which may include coaches, teammates and family, is to their recovery.
Injuring your ACL can take an immense physical and psychological toll. That’s why getting support from qualified medical professionals, as well as a close social network, is vital.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 April 2026 – On 1 April,Brother announced the upcoming availability of the MFC-J3960DW and MFC-J3660DW — two new A3 colour inkjet multifunction printers designed not only to handle the demanding workflows of interior designers, architecture firms, and contractors across key Asian markets, but also to empower them to express their creativity without limitations.
MFC-J3960DW 4 in 1 Multifunction A3 Colour Inkjet Printer
Engineered for speed, precision, and durability, both models feature Brother’s latest MAXIDRIVE inkjet technology to deliver print speeds of up to 31 images per minutei (ipm) in A4 and 14 ipm¹ in A3. With an impressive print resolution of up to 1,200 x 4,800 dpi, professionals can bring bold concepts to life — from intricate drawings and technical plans to vibrant client presentations — with stunning clarity and consistency.
Supporting dual‑band connectivity including fast and stable 5G (5GHz) Wi‑Fi, the new printers ensure seamless, uninterrupted workflows, enabling teams to send large creative files swiftly and collaborate more efficiently across devices and workspaces.
To support long-term reliability and archival-quality output, the new printers feature high-grade pigment ink with superior colour stability. The waterproof and fade-resistant formulation ensures prints remain crisp, vibrant, and durable even under prolonged storage or frequent handling—making them ideal for professional designs, documents, and creative work that must stand the test of time. Complementing this is Brother’s smart self-care technology suite, which includes ink clogging prevention, and automatic nozzle sensing. These intelligent features minimise downtime, ensuring designers and project teams can stay fully focused on their work and keep ideas flowing smoothly—even in high-volume or deadline‑driven environments.
Both the MFC-J3960DW and MFC-J3660DW offer wireless printing for flexible placement and effortless output from multiple devices. This adaptability is especially valuable for studios and site offices with constantly evolving layouts, allowing teams to move, collaborate, and create without being constrained by cabling.
MFC-J3660DW 4 in 1 Multifunction A3 Colour Inkjet Printer
Security has also been strengthened to protect every stage of the creative process. With storage protection, secure scan, secure print, and secure function lock, organisations can safeguard sensitive drawings, plans, contracts, and client information — giving creators the confidence to develop and share their work securely.
MFC-J3960DW
RSP: $3,098
Availability: 1st April 2026
Professional 4-in-1 wireless A3 inkjet printer with 3.5″ LCD Touch Panel and duplex print and scan functions
Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
Up to 31/30ipmi (A4/A3) mono printing
3.5″ LCD Touch Panel
A3 Full Duplex function
Up to 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder
Up to 250-sheet Paper Tray (Standard tray)
350-sheet Lower Tray and Multi-purpose Tray
Up to 100-sheet paper output
Gigabit Ethernet, 5GHz WiFi and USB
Print directly from or scan to PC, mobile app and USB
3,000 black, 1,500 colour maximum yield available
MFC-J3660DW
RSP: $2,598
Availability: 1st April 2026
Professional 4-in-1 wireless A3 inkjet printer with 2.7″ LCD Touch Panel and duplex print function
Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
Up to 31/30 ipmi (A4/A3) mono printing
2.7″ LCD Touch Panel
Auto duplex A3 printing
Up to 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder
Up to 250-sheet Paper Tray (Standard tray)
Up to 100-sheet paper output
Gigabit Ethernet, 5GHz WiFi and USB
Print directly from or scan to PC, mobile app and USB
3,000 black, 1,500 colour maximum yield available
Series Line-up and Availability
This new series will be available from 1st April 2026. For more information, visit https://www.brother.com.hk/en/series/a3-inkjet-mfc
All prices are inclusive of a 1-year pickup & delivery service warranty, and free upgrade to 2-years pickup & delivery service upon completion of warranty registration within 60 days of purchase. These machines can be purchased through Brother Hong Kong eShop or authorised resellers and are supported by the Brother Kwai Fong Service Centre located at Units 2001-12, 20/F, Metroplaza Tower 1, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, New Territories, HK. It is opened Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 6pm (Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays).
i. Based on ISO/IEC 24734. For more information, please refer towww.brother.com/rd/printspeed
Information is correct as at the time of publication and may change without prior notice.
The Solomon Islands’ Attorney-General is challenging a ruling by the Chief Justice in favour of a new coalition of political parties seeking to oust the Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
Sir Albert ruled in favour of a new coalition of 28 MPs (in the 50-member house), including government defectors, who filed a judicial review claim in the High Court.
Palmer denied attempts by Attorney-General John Muria Jr to have the judicial review struck out.
However, the prime minister said in a statement shortly after that Sir Albert’s order raised “profound issues” regarding the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.
Manele added that Muria Jr would appeal the decision “to protect the constitutional integrity of the Office of the Prime Minister for future generations”.
“It is the firm view of the government’s view that certain fundamental legal questions were not adequately dealt with in the judgement,” Manele said.
Remain calm plea He also urged Solomon Islanders to remain calm as the government sought “absolute legal certainty” over the case in the Court of Appeal.
Muria Jr spoke to local media about an appeal outside the court on Tuesday.
He spoke Solomon Islands pijin, which has been translated: “I think firstly, its appealable, so we will be filing an appeal for that. A lot of the things in the original, all the orders that the claimants were seeking that is not what the Chief Justice has granted.”
The new opposition group has been locked out of Parliament . . . a significant development in constitutional law. Image: Office of the Leader of the Opposition/RNZ Pacific
Meanwhile, Gabriel Suri, the lawyer for new coalition, said the ruling over the political impasse facing the country represented a significant development in constitutional law.
Speaking outside court, Suri told local reporters that it provided clarity in the event of future constitutional crises.
“The order that he is given today is that the prime minister has a constitutional duty [to call parliament and face a no-confidence-motion] but he failed to exercise this. So that is what he clearly states,” Suri said.
“The prime minister failed to exercise his constitutional duty so he ordered the prime minister to perform his constitutional duty. If he does not perform it then the Governor-General can step in and exercise his residual power.”
‘Constitutional duty’ In his ruling, the Chief Justice stated that Manele had a “constitutional duty” to ensure the motion was brought before Parliament expeditiously and failing to do so was “unlawful.”
Despite their numerical superiority, the group has been locked out of parliament by Manele’s refusal to call a sitting and face a leadership challenge.
The mandatory orders go further in stating that, if the prime minister fails to call parliament within three days, the Governor-General can call parliament and the Speaker must ensure the motion of no confidence is prioritised.
The judgement stated that the judicial review raised questions that were “serious, arguable and justiciable.”
“The claim raises questions at the very core of the constitutional order-namely, the scope and limits of the powers of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister in relation to the summoning of Parliament, and the role of the court where those powers are said not to have been exercised in circumstances giving rise to constitutional impasse,” it said.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has today announced Tony Balfour as the new Chair of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board.
“Tony Balfour will join the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board on 1 May, following the retirement of Mark Todd on 30 April,” says Ms van Velden.
“Mr Balfour brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, with a distinguished career spanning governance, business strategy, and community engagement. He also brings strong commercial acumen and executive level experience.
“His appointment ensures strong and effective leadership within the Commission, which plays a vital role in supporting community initiatives through lottery funding.
“The New Zealand Lotteries Commission is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and Mr Balfour’s leadership will further enhance its ability to meet these goals.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Todd for his service over the past seven years, and for chairing the Board since 2024. I wish him all the very best.”
State Highway 6 is closed in both directions near the Todd Bush Road intersection in the Nelson-Tasman region.NZTA
The main route between Nelson and Blenheim or Picton is closed north of Nelson due to a crash.
State Highway 6 is closed in both directions near the Todd Bush Road intersection in the Nelson Tasman region after a two-car crash.
Police said they were notified of the crash about 2.40pm on Wednesday near the intersection of Todd Bush Road.
People are believed to be seriously injured and emergency services are at the scene.
The Transport Agency said there was currently no direct access for drivers travelling between Nelson and Blenheim.
The only alternative route which was much longer was via State Highway 63 Wairau Valley and State Highway 6 south of Nelson, it said.
NZTA said at this stage there was no estimated time for when the highway would reopen and drivers should delay their travel until the crash scene had been cleared.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
15 April 2026 – Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA) has today released its Tax Policy Statement setting out a mix of proposals that together could rebalance our tax system so that it delivers for ordinary New Zealanders.
“Our policy statement shows that a tax system that works for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand is possible,” says TJA spokesperson, Glenn Barclay.
“It is not a policy prescription, but sets a clear direction. We’re keen to have the conversation with Aotearoa about how we gather the revenue we need to address the challenges we face – like increasing inequality and an ageing population; and gather that revenue more fairly – ensuring that those who have most to contribute make that contribution and addressing the impact of tax on the least well off.”
“But as successive polls have shown, there is solid support for tax reform and properly funding our public services, New Zealanders realise maintaining the status quo is not an option,” says Barclay.
“NZ is a low tax country compared to many other developed nations, and we’re not gathering enough revenue to fund the things that matter for us to live good lives, like fully staffed hospitals and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure and nutritious school lunches.”
“We rely very heavily on income tax and GST, so working people are carrying more of the load of funding our public services. And our failure to properly tax wealth and big corporates directly contributes to increasing inequality, erodes living standards and opportunities for ordinary people, like working towards owning your own home,” says Barclay.
“As we confront yet another crisis, TJA is calling on the Government, and all political parties, to catch up with public sentiment, and to stop offering bandaids like tax cuts. It’s time to embrace real solutions that will ensure we’re gathering enough revenue to fund the things that matter, gathering it more fairly, and laying the foundation for a recovery that supports everyone in Aotearoa to have a better future,” says Barclay.
TJA’s Tax Policy Statement sets out practical changes we can make to our tax system to catch-up with other developed countries’ investment in public goods, services and infrastructure, to tackle inequality and to support a more productive and resilient economy. The proposed changes would close the gaps in tax on big corporates and ensure the wealthiest are paying their fair share, and include:
Tax surcharge on big corporates, for example a levy on major banks (as in the UK and Australia), a surcharge on sectors managing vital infrastructure or where there is a lack of competition, like supermarkets and gentailers. Excess/windfall profits taxes, for example, on big corporates to discourage price gouging and excessive profits arising from the current fossil fuel crisis. Taxing Big Tech and other multinationals by enforcing existing tax obligations and changing the law to require these corporate giants to be more transparent about the profits they’re making, like the Public Country-by-Country Reporting adopted in Australia. Close the shareholder loans tax loophole, to prevent tax avoidance and reduce financial risk to small and medium size businesses (e.g. using the UK model). Tax wealth more, not work, through a comprehensive capital gains tax (as in most OECD countries), high-wealth tax, trusts tax, and wealth transfer tax (as in Ireland). Adjust income tax settings to better reflect ability to pay, by introducing a tax free band, making tax bands more progressive and raising the tax rate on the highest income earners. Most workers would pay less or the same tax under this proposal. Addressing the impact of GST on the least well off, by reducing the rate of GST or introducing rebate system for people on low incomes (like in Canada).
Other important areas for reform in the TPS include: health, environmental and other remedial taxes; international taxation; transparency and administration of the tax system.
Zero Waste Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand government to explicitly reject the export of New Zealand’s waste to Fiji. A massive incinerator has been proposed for Fiji by Australian company TNG ltd.
It would be built in the Sawesi beachside area, a pristine coastline which is the ancestral arrival site for the people of the Vuda district. The application documents specifically mention New Zealand as a source of waste for the incinerator.
“This incinerator would burn 900,000 tonnes of waste per year, more than four times the waste that Fiji produces itself. Incinerating this much rubbish would leave Fiji with between 225,000-300,000 tonnes of highly toxic ash. This ash needs to be disposed of much more carefully than standard rubbish.” said Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Aotearoa
“Emissions to air, and ash from the incinerator will be toxic because mixed rubbish contains hazardous materials and chemicals of concern. When rubbish is burned these are concentrated in the ash and the filters and some escape into the air.”
“No wonder the locals are saying they don’t want Fiji turned into a giant ashtray for Australia and New Zealand.”
“Burning this waste will generate hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions, so sending our waste to Fiji would also mean offloading our climate emissions to Fijians. The New Zealand Government has all but abandoned emissions reduction and waste minimisation plans. New Zealand needs to step up and take responsibility for the waste and GHG emissions we create .”
“The Australian billionaire developer, Ian Malouf of TNG Ltd, had his proposal for an Incinerator in Western Sydney turned down, so now he is taking his incineration plans to Fiji where regulations to protect health and environment are weaker. This is waste colonialism. It is racist, and it is wrong.”
“It is completely unacceptable for New Zealand to impose onto Fiji the social and environmental burden of dealing with our waste. This proposal locks in an arrogant approach to the Pacific where New Zealanders get to enjoy the imported consumer goods that we use, often for a short time, before sending our rubbish to someone else’s country to burn and dump them so they bear the cost.” said Sue Coutts, spokesperson for Zero Waste Aotearoa.
“The global trade in waste and incineration technologies from countries with high GDP to those with lower GDP is based on power imbalances that are the result of historic political, economic and cultural injustice.”
“Imperial powers have treated the Pacific as a testing and dumping ground for 300 years. These practices trample on the human rights of the people of the Pacific and permanently damage the local environment. New Zealanders stood up against nuclear testing in the Pacific and we need to stand up against these toxic incinerators. It’s all part of the same pattern.”
A solidarity campaign will be launched outside the Fijian High Commission on Friday morning at 9am in Wellington to express support for the communities in Fiji who are fighting this proposal. A demonstration in Fiji is planned for the same day at 10am.
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) – Te Pūtea Matua
15 April 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) – Te Pūtea Matua has opened consultation on an exposure draft of a Bill that amends the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010 (IPSA).
“We’re seeking technical feedback on the Bill to help ensure the changes work in practice and deliver the policy decisions made by Cabinet last year,” says Jess Rowe, Director of Prudential Policy.
“It will also help us identify and avoid unintended consequences and regulatory gaps.
“Insurance plays a key role in many of New Zealanders’ biggest financial decisions. That’s why a sound and efficient insurance sector matters to everyone, and New Zealanders need to have confidence in the sector,” says Ms Rowe.
The Bill is intended to modernise insurance regulation in New Zealand and bring it closer to international practice.
The draft Bill seeks to enhance how the RBNZ regulates insurers, including a move to a clearer and more transparent rules-based approach by expanding the range of standards that the RBNZ issues, helping keep the sector sound – now and into the future.
“The Bill will support the Reserve Bank to be a more transparent, risk-based, and proactive regulator.
“A strong regulatory environment must be both sound and efficient. The Bill introduces a proportionality principle into IPSA, requiring us to publish a framework showing how regulation is tailored to the size and nature of different insurers. This complements existing Reserve Bank obligations, including considering the impact of our decisions on competition in the insurance sector,” she says.
Consultation is open for an extended period of 12 weeks, closing on 7 July. The Bill is expected to be introduced to the House of Representatives in 2027.
A woman who allegedly burgled a Manurewa laundromat repeatedly will face court today.
On eight separate occasions between 26 March and 13 April, the offender and several associates allegedly burgled a Jellicoe Road laundromat.
Counties Manukau Central Area Prevention Manager, Inspector MinHo Lee, says the offending followed the same pattern.
“During each burglary, washing machines and dryers were broken into, and coins were stolen from the deposit boxes.”
But just like a short wash cycle, this offender’s time was almost up.
“At around 7.08am on 14 April, Police received a report of machines at the same laundromat being broken into with a hammer and crowbar,” Inspector Lee says.
Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located a man and a woman damaging property. Both parties were arrested.
“This is a great outcome, with our staff being able to quickly catch a recidivist burglar red-handed,” he says.
A 29-year-old woman will appear in Manukau District Court today, charged with nine counts of burglary and five counts of possession of an instrument for burglary.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with burglary and possession of an instrument for burglary. He will appear in Manukau District Court on 5 May.
Seven months after the discovery of a body in a bag found in Gulf Harbour, Police revealed the identity of the victim. She was Shulai Wang, 70, of China.Supplied / Police
* This article’s headline has been updated to remove the reference to murder. The four are accused of kidnapping and manslaughter and have never been accused of murder.
Four people charged with the kidnapping and manslaughter of a Chinese woman, whose body was found wrapped in plastic bags in the water at Auckland’s Gulf Harbour, can now be named.
Kaixiao Liu, Lanyue Xiao, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, are facing a five-week trial starting late next month, over the death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang – whose body was first discovered by a fisherman in March 2024.
Road freight association Transporting New Zealand is calling for Gisborne District Council to urgently repair Tiniroto Road between Gisborne and Wairoa, warning its deteriorating condition is creating serious safety risks and costs for freight operators and other road users.
Transporting New Zealand Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says members have raised concerns about extensive potholing, surface failure, and damage to vehicles.
“Our members and their customers are paying the price every day. Trucks are being damaged, costs are rising, and drivers are being put into stressful situations,” says Calvi-Freeman.
“A local member has told me that that as well as the extra wear and tear on the trucks, it’s taking a real toll on their drivers’ mental health.”
“Tiniroto Road carries heavy traffic including logging trucks, trucks carrying aggregate from the quarry, and livestock trucks. It is a key freight route that is simply not being maintained to the standard required.”
“Our members are dealing with around 50 kilometres of road that is absolutely riddled with potholes. For a route carrying this level of traffic, it is hard to understand how it has been allowed to get to this point.”
“It isn’t just freight operators being impacted – Tiniroto Community Association have also been pointing out how dangerous the road condition is for the local community.”
One Transporting New Zealand member alone makes approximately 60 trips on the road each day, highlighting the scale of use and impact.
Tiniroto Road is also the only viable alternative route between Gisborne and Wairoa when State Highway 2 is closed.
“During the recent cyclone event, authorities had to close Tiniroto Road to stop it being used as a detour. That highlights how serious the situation has become.”
Calvi-Freeman says the issue highlights the need to ensure Road User Charges are being effectively invested in maintaining regional roads.
Transporting New Zealand has written to local members of parliament Dana Kirkpatrick and Katie Nimon, requesting their support in advocating for repairs and improvements.
Are Ministers now directing headcount targets? PSA calls for transparency
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) admits service levels will fall in some areas as it embarks on a major head count reduction programme – today confirming 15 roles going in the first phase.
LINZhas agreed with its Minister in its performance plan to cut its workforce by 2 per cent over each of the next three years, meaning between 40 and 50 roles will be gone in total by 2028. It aims to reduce staff numbers to 800 by June this year.
The first phase confirmed to staff today sees 15 roles cut impacting jobs in ministerial and government services, business management services, and the team that maintains the digital backbone that keeps LINZ’s technology systems working together.
“This is what managed decline of a key public service agency looks like, and the Minister is happy to see that happen regardless of the work that needs doing or the impact on services New Zealanders rely on,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We fear this is the thin end of the wedge – is the Government now happy for agencies to offer up specific headcount targets to meet its spending cuts or is it now actually directing headcount reductions? The PSA calls on the Prime Minister to be upfront with New Zealanders.”
LINZ management has told its workforce that to ‘ meet staff reduction expectations, LINZ will need to do less with less. We will need to stop or reduce service levels in some areas.’
“LINZ is responsible for critical functions that underpin property rights, land titles, overseas investment decisions, Crown land management and maritime safety. Cutting the people who do this work has real consequences.
“The agency’s own staff have warned that the cuts create single points of failure, risk non-compliance with statutory obligations, and will lead to delays and errors.
“That’s not efficiency, that’s degradation of public services by design.”
The PSA’s submission on the first phase of the restructure raised serious concerns about the impact on service delivery, including the risk of missed statutory deadlines for Official Information Act responses, ministerial briefings and select committee processes.
“Workers are exhausted by constant restructuring. Many have been through previous rounds of change and are now being told their roles are at risk again. The human cost of this relentless cost-cutting is enormous,” Leo said.
“These are dedicated public servants being told to look for work in a tough job market, at a time of rising costs impacting budgets, and impacting their ability to pay the rent or mortgage.
“This is just the same plan we have seen across the public service – a hollowing out the agencies New Zealanders depend on regardless of the challenges we face as a country.
“The PSA strongly opposes these cuts and will be demanding LINZ do all it can to redeploy impacted workers to other positions.”
Background
LINZis New Zealand’s lead agency for property and location information, Crown property and managing overseas investment. It manages land titles, the cadastre (official record of land boundary surveys), geodetic and hydrographic systems, and nearly three million hectares of Crown land.
In its performance plan for the Lands Information Minister, LINZ agreed to a 2 per cent staff reduction year on year for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Phase one of the restructure impacts four areas: Digital Delivery (Digital Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 1), Ministerial and Government Services (2 roles disestablished), Delivery Capability (Data and Business Analyst roles reduced from 5 to 3, Solution Delivery Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 2). Three Enterprise Architecture roles are also being cut. This team is responsible for maintaining LINZ’s critical technology systems, including the Landonline property rights platform used for every land transaction in New Zealand.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Source:Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
A once-in-a-decade Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been released for public consultation, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on New Zealanders to help shape the final document.
The strategy will set the direction for mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa for more than a decade, making public involvement essential.
“This strategy will guide priorities and actions through to 2036, so it is imperative it reflects the realities and needs of those it is intended to serve,” says Te Hiringa Mahara CEO, Karen Orsborn.
“We and others have long called for a dedicated strategy, and it is positive to see this taken forward. However, for it to be truly effective, it must be shaped by the voices of people with lived experience and their whānau.
“While the strategy clearly acknowledges the inequitable outcomes experienced by Māori and outlines improved outcomes in its long-term vision, we want to see targeted, measurable actions to deliver meaningful change.
“Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for the inclusion of specific effort directed to improving outcomes for populations with the highest need through effective, accessible solutions that are designed both with and for those communities.
“We also need to see stronger action to address the underlying drivers of mental distress, particularly for young people, where demand and unmet need continue to grow.
To support meaningful engagement, Te Hiringa Mahara has released advice to help New Zealanders make submissions on the draft strategy and use their voices and lived experience to help shape this document.
“We strongly encourage everyone, particularly those with lived experience of mental distress, to have their say. Public input will be critical to make sure the final strategy can deliver the change we urgently need to see,” says Ms Orsborn.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.
The following special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve.
The section 52 prohibition of fireworks in Upper Waitaki, Central and Lakes fire zones will also be revoked at 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
Fireworks will remain prohibited in the following special risk zones:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
– Glendhu Bluffs
– Naseby
– Lake Ōhau.
Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk.
“South-westerly weather and shorter days mean the vegetation around the district is no longer as dry.
“Fires are less likely to start and will not spread as quickly in these conditions.
“But fires can start in Otago at any time of the year, which is why people must apply for a fire permit atwww.checkitsalright.nz,” Deane Chalmers says.
“This website will also tell you whether the conditions are safe and provide safety tips for your burn.”
Frustration has been building for Auckland FC coach Steve Corica.Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Call it frustration, call it passion, but whatever it was, Football Australia have deemed it enough to hand Auckland FC coach Steve Corica the first red card of his coaching career.
Corica copped a one-match ban for the red card he picked up on the sidelines of Auckland’s draw with Melbourne Victory in the A-League on Saturday.
The match review panel decided he used “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”.
Corica is adamant he did not say anything abusive to the fourth official.
“I got a little bit frustrated with, obviously, the referee’s decision and the Toblerone was next to me, the foam thing, and I just kicked that away, there was a ball there as well that I kicked away and I think the fourth official thought I was kicking at him, which I wasn’t.
“{I} probably could have dealt with it a bit better, I suppose, the fourth official, but if he thinks it was at him, it wasn’t, so just got to make that clear.”
Why was Corica so hot under the collar?
Jonty Bidois going down right on the edge of the 18-yard box late in the game, in the 87th minute, which the referee did not call a foul, was a boil over point.
“It was definitely a foul. There’s no doubt about it, and the referee played on.
“We’re all passionate on the sidelines. We wanted things to go our way, obviously, and that would have gave us an opportunity to maybe score a goal.
“And unfortunately we all get frustrated at times and that happens.”
Auckland’s director of football Terry McFlynn and chief executive officer Nick Becker have since spoken to the referees about the situation.
“I think they admitted that it probably should have been a foul,” Corica said of the referees response.
“So, you know, I was right. Probably shouldn’t have got a red card, and then we’re all happy.”
Corica had received a yellow card the week before against Adelaide United.
Is the coach becoming more frustrated or more passionate as the end of the regular season gets closer?
“I would say frustrated. I’m always passionate. Just frustrated at some decisions that you expect to go your way and they don’t.”
Senior player Dan Hall was surprised Corica saw red but agreed with his coach’s assessment of the emotions involved.
“I’ll go definitely passion, he expects so much of us and when you’re not delivering on the pitch or things aren’t going our way it’s obviously a bit of frustration as well but it definitely comes from a place of wanting us to be the best that we can,” Hall said.
Auckland FC’s coach Steve Corica and assistant coach Danny Hay.Shane Wenzlick / Photosport.nz
Corica will be replaced in the dugout this weekend by assistant coach Danny Hay.
“We do most of our work during the week, videos, analysis, and game day is for the players.
“Obviously, we make some decisions on the substitutes but I’ll speak to Danny before Sunday and the rest is up to him to make decisions.
“He’s done it before. He’s an experienced coach and he’ll be fine.”
Corica has never been banned from the sidelines before so he said it would be a unique experience watching his team play from elsewhere in the stadium.
“I’ll just stay away and try and find the best quiet spot.
“Maybe join [supporters group] The Port if we’re winning.”
Auckland are second in the A-League standings, three points behind leaders Newcastle.
They play Central Coast in Auckland on Sunday and then are away to Sydney FC in the last two regular season games.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Some Westpac and Kiwibank customers are having problems accessing their app and internet banking.
As of 2.20pm there had been 222 people report an issue with the Westpac app on Downdetector.
About 2.40pm Westpac said some customers were experiencing difficulty accessing Westpac One online banking.
“Our technical teams are urgently investigating. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
Kiwibank says some customers are also having problems accessing its app an internet banking.
“We’re working to restore services, and we apologise for the inconvenience.”
It said cards and ATMs were still working.
Just before 1pm, KiwiBank said some customers could now access internet banking and its app.
RNZ / Screenshot
Another update just before 3pm, Kiwibank said internet banking was back up and running and some users would have access to the app.
Earlier, customers on social media complained about the interruption.
One said she was trying to transfer money to pay bills.
“I don’t keep a lot of money in my everyday card account due to the paywave stuff (had my card stolen before) and I can’t pay my rent yet as it’s not set up on direct debit,” another said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Seven months after the discovery of a body in a bag found in Gulf Harbour, Police revealed the identity of the victim. She was Shulai Wang, 70, of China.Supplied / Police
Four people charged with the kidnapping and manslaughter of a Chinese woman, whose body was found wrapped in plastic bags in the water at Auckland’s Gulf Harbour, can now be named.
Kaixiao Liu, Lanyue Xiao, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, are facing a five week trial starting late next month, over the death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang – whose body was first discovered by a fisherman in March 2024.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 April 2026 – The HCM City Development Commercial Bank (HDBank) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to support Vietnamese businesses in accessing international capital markets.
This is part of the Investment Forum held on April 14, by HDBank, LSE and the Việt Nam International Finance Centre in HCM City (VIFC).
HDBank signed a strategic partnership agreement with the London Stock Exchange on April 14 in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of HDBank
As Vietnam targets 10% GDP growth, the country is pushing forward with infrastructure development, science technology & innovation, value-adding manufacturing & services sector and green economy. This requires long-term patient capital. While Vietnam has been accelerating its capital markets development beyond bank credit, as evidenced by the stock market reform that has been awarded with a FTSE Russell emerging market upgrade in September 2026, the government recognizes the need to tap into international capital as a critical source of financing. In February, the government inaugurated VIFC as a conduit for international capital into Vietnam and today the partnership between HDBank and LSE is another milestone.
HDBank and LSE’s partnership will focus on promoting cross-border fundraising activities, including the issuance of shares, bonds, and other financial instruments on the London market, as well as strengthening connections with global institutional investors and improving transparency and corporate governance standards.
HDBank is one of Vietnam’s largest financial institutions with a variety of products and services across retail & corporate banking, securities, investment, insurance. HDBank is a co-founder of VIFC. The bank aims to become partner of choice for Vietnamese enterprises when they consider international capital.
LSE is one of the world’s leading financial centres, currently home to over 1,600 international companies and operating one of the world’s largest bond markets, with a size of approximately $34 trillion.
HDBank and LSE also implemented cooperation agreements with several leading Vietnamese businesses to support their access to international capital markets. These agreements focus on arranging capital raising structures, advising on listings and connecting with global investors.
Participating businesses include corporations in the industrial, manufacturing, and export sectors such as Hoa Sen, THACO, and Phúc Sinh. Kim Byoungho, chairman of the Board of Directors of HDBank, said: “The cooperation with the LSE is not only aimed at raising capital, but also at supporting Vietnamese businesses in accessing global standards of governance, transparency, and sustainable development. Through the London platform, HDBank expects to open a long-term connection channel between the Vietnamese market and international investors.”
HDBank also announced plans to issue up to $300 million in international green bonds, marking a significant step in its sustainable financing strategy and expanding long-term funding sources from international markets.
Dame Julia Hoggett, Managing Director of the London Stock Exchange, said: “We appreciate HDBank’s role in fostering market connectivity and supporting businesses in accessing global capital opportunities.”
“This partnership also reflects London’s commitment to supporting emerging markets in raising standards and integrating into the international financial system.”
Hashtag: #HDBank
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
