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Four clubs in 2 years, Football Fern Jacqui Hand finds ‘good fit’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Football Fern Jacqui Hand is now one of the more experienced players in the squad. Photosport

Jacqui Hand is months into the biggest move of her football career and with a possible second Football World Cup on the horizon she is wanting to reach her potential at club level.

Hand is one of the more travelled of the current Football Ferns squad having played overseas since 2018. College football with the Colorado Tigers in the United States was followed by a stints with clubs in Finland, England, Norway and now Switzerland.

In 24 months Hand has been with four different clubs.

The 27-year-old played for Lewes FC and Sheffield United in the Women’s Super League 2, before going to Norway in mid-2025 to Kolbotn. In January she was a mid-season transfer to Swiss team FC Basel.

“The move was a big one for me, I’d maybe not reached my full potential at my previous clubs, and I think finding somewhere that had a really good environment and a club base as well [was what I was looking for],” Hand said.

The Swiss club, which is the biggest in the country, had initially got in touch with the Hand when she was playing in Finland in 2023.

She was one of three international players who joined Basel in the transfer window.

“I chatted to the coach and the sporting director, it just sounded like a really good fit and a team that’s doing well.

“All of that together with the coach and where he saw me in the team was why I chose there.

“Everyone wants to be happy in football and life, so finding somewhere that you can be comfortable in that and just really reach your potential is very important.”

Since early February, Hand, who plays as a left winger, has been getting regular minutes for FC Basel in the Women’s Super League and Schweizer Cup.

She missed the Football Ferns’ three Oceania Qualifiers games for the World Cup in the Solomon Islands in March but has returned for the semi-final win against Fiji on on Saturday and Wednesday’s final against Papua New Guinea in Auckland.

“I think it always helps when I’m doing well in club and to bring that into the [Football Ferns] environment is huge.”

Being one win away from qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil is “super exciting” but it has been a goal a long time on Hand’s radar.

At the last World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 2023, Hand was a relative newcomer to the senior side. She had played eight games for the Football Ferns before getting named in the World Cup squad.

Over the last three years Hand has developed as a player while changing clubs and “seeing how different places operate”.

Hand now has 38 caps for New Zealand.

“It’s funny to think that I’m one of the more of the older and experienced players. Feels like just yesterday I was new coming in.

“But I think that’s what’s great about teams like this is you always start somewhere and then you can learn from those that are more experienced and then you end up with that experience.

“So it’s great to be able to help some of the newest ones come in and be able to teach them from my journey and what I’ve been through.”

Hand who is from Auckland said it would be a “dream” to qualify for the World Cup in her hometown in front of friends and family.

After a dominant 5-0 win over Fiji in the semi-final, Hand said Papua New Guinea in the final would be a different game.

“These games present different challenges, but I think we just continue playing our way and build on what we have and it was positive coming off the last game, so I think we’ve just got to take that energy and look forward to the next game.

“We’ve all got one goal and everyone does their piece, whether on game day starting or coming off the bench or whatever it is. It’s a great environment to be a part of and having that togetherness is amazing.”

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/2026/04/13/four-clubs-in-2-years-football-fern-jacqui-hand-finds-good-fit/

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¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! Speedy Gonzales set to make his triumphant return

Source: Radio New Zealand

¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!”

Meaning “hurry up, let’s go,” the trademark slogan of Speedy Gonzales was, for generations of children, the first Spanish words they learned.

But by the 1980s, ABC had pulled his cartoons due to concerns that his dress, accent and characters like his cousin, Slowpoke Rodriguez, were insensitive toward Mexicans and Mexican Americans. The Cartoon Network followed suit in 1999.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

I’ve studied and written about the history of animation, including how characters have been received around the world. Though rooted in a well-intentioned effort at cultural sensitivity, taking Speedy Gonzales off the air was a step too far for many viewers. He was one of the few cartoon characters rooted in Mexican identity, and he’d become a cultural icon across all of Latin America. The ensuing uproar in the wake of his cancellation prompted the Cartoon Network to reinstate the cartoon mouse in 2002.

With Warner Bros. greenlighting a new Speedy Gonzales movie in January 2026, the character’s redemption arc appears complete.

A speedy rise to stardom

“The fastest mouse in all of Mexico” first appeared in the 1953 animated short Cat-Tails for Two.

He was redesigned with his iconic yellow sombrero and red kerchief when he starred in his eponymous 1955 film, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short.

The short film features the general framework for future plots: Speedy helps members of his border community – a place inspired by Ciudad Juarez, just south of El Paso, Texas – evade the conniving Sylvester the Cat.

It opens with a town of starving mice looking longingly at the AJAX cheese factory through a fence establishing an “international border”. They try to determine who will try to outrun Sylvester, the factory’s guard. One of the mice says that his sister is friends with Speedy Gonzales. (Another pipes in that Speedy is friends with everybody’s sister, signaling Speedy as something of a Don Juan.) After they call on Speedy, he uses his speed and smarts to outrun and outwit Sylvester.

The basic premise also appears in a number of cartoons, from Tom and Jerry to Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote: An antagonist is consistently thwarted by a clever protagonist who avoids increasingly complicated traps and attempts at capture.

Speedy Gonzales is unique, though, in that he was the first cartoon star to be from a Latin American country.

In the 1940s, with the European and Asian markets cut off due to World War II, Disney had turned to the Latin American market. The studio produced Saludos Amigos in 1942 and The Three Caballeros in 1944 to abide by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy, which aimed to leverage diplomacy, trade and cultural exchange to improve relations with Latin America.

Speedy ended up appearing in 45 theatrical shorts. In 1969, Warner Bros. shut down its animation studio, but the character lived on in Saturday morning cartoon anthologies like The Bugs Bunny Show, which repackaged older cartoons for younger audiences.

Animation’s racial reckoning

The Cartoon Network pulled Speedy Gonzales from the air at a time when networks and studios were starting to reassess animated characters from earlier eras.

Many early cartoon characters, including Mickey Mouse, had been modeled after blackface minstrel characters. Warner Bros.‘ first star, Bosko, was originally patented as “Negro Boy”.

Since racist tropes were ubiquitous in early-20th-century animation, films and shorts like Disney’s Dumbo, Mickey’s Mellerdrammer or Warner Bros.’ All This and Rabbit Stew were either pulled, edited or updated to feature a content warning.

But after The Cartoon Network pulled Speedy Gonzales from the air in 1999, there was unexpected pushback from the Hispanic American community and the character’s Latin American fans.

Groups like League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest Hispanic civil rights organisation in the United States, declared Speedy a cultural icon and requested that his cartoons return to the air.

Back when Speedy Gonzales was first introduced to audiences, Hollywood had been filming more movies in Mexico and at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, most of these films depicted Latinos as either incompetent or villains.

In this regard, Speedy represented something different. Though the character’s English speech and accent reflected stereotypes – and he was voiced by a white actor, Mel Blanc – the character was ultimately a clever, quick-witted and good-natured protagonist. And the Spanish dubbing of his cartoons in Latin America had removed the stereotypical accent altogether.

Let the people decide

The trajectory of Speedy Gonzales resembles that of another controversial cartoon character: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons.

An Indian immigrant who earned his PhD in computer science in his home country, Apu becomes the manager of a convenience store in the US.

Some critics viewed Apu’s depiction as problematic; voiced by a white actor, Hank Azaria, Apu’s exaggerated Indian-American accent and catchphrase – “Thank you, come again” – was routinely mimicked and mocked by viewers of the show.

Others, however, saw Apu as the embodiment of the American Dream: He was intelligent, hardworking and morally grounded.

Cultural theorists like Jacques Derrida and Stuart Hall have written about the complexities of how audiences understand – and either resist or embrace – what they read and watch.

They ultimately argue that viewers and readers often interpret media however they see fit, regardless of the creators’ intent. For example, many minority groups who are underrepresented or misrepresented in popular culture will nonetheless find their own meaning and inspiration in characters, even if those characters weren’t supposed to represent those groups in the first place.

This happened with The Goofy Movie. Some audiences went on to describe the 1995 film as Disney’s first “Black” animated feature, despite the fact that the characters’ race is never mentioned. There were hints, of course: Black R&B singer Tevin Campbell played the movie’s fictional pop star, Powerline, and the themes of fatherhood and generational tensions eerily echo those in the play Fences, written by Black playwright August Wilson.

Of course, in the case of a character like Speedy Gonzales, depictions can become more nuanced as cultural norms and sensitivities change. Jorge R. Gutiérrez is set to direct the animated feature.

If his work on films like The Book of Life is any indication, he’ll be well-equipped to bring cultural awareness to the animated feature – even if Speedy continues to sport his big, floppy sombrero.

Jared Bahir Browsh is assistant teaching professor, critical sports studies, University of Colorado Boulder.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/andale-arriba-speedy-gonzales-set-to-make-his-triumphant-return/

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AM Edition: Top 10 Energy Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for April 13, 2026 – Full Text

AM Edition: Here are the top 10 energy articles on LiveNews.co.nz for April 13, 2026 – Full Text

World Vision – A GENERATION LOST: SUDAN’S CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE OF THREE YEARS OF CONFLICT

April 13, 2026

Source: World Vision

  • The conflict in Sudan enters its fourth year with more than 17 million children in desperate need as famine-like conditions grip the nation
  • Malnutrition is rife and nearly one million  children are at risk of death
  • More than 10 million children have not set foot  in a classroom in three years
Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises following three years of relentless violence in which children are paying the most devastating cost. 
World Vision New Zealand warns that without urgent international funding and immediate political action to end the conflict, an entire generation of children could be lost.
Famine-like conditions have been confirmed across multiple regions, driving more than four million children into acute malnutrition. Among them, more than 800,000 are so severely wasted that without specialised treatment, they may not survive.
World Vision New Zealand Country Programme Manager, Sarah Whittaker, says the world is failing Sudan’s children and must act now. 
“New Zealanders have a proud tradition of showing up for the world’s most vulnerable people, and Sudan’s children need that now more than ever.
“This crisis is not winding down, in fact it is accelerating. Every week that passes without adequate action means more children exposed to horrific violence, more children dying of preventable hunger, more girls exposed to violence, and another generation denied an education.”
New Zealand contributed $5 million NZD to Sudan’s humanitarian response in the last financial year.
“New Zealand must urgently increase its humanitarian funding to Sudan to match the scale of the crisis,” Whittaker says.
“So many children are turning up at displacement camps alone, without parents, without protection and without support. Children have nothing and no one to rely on. Humanitarian aid is their only lifeline. Without it, children will not survive.”
In a single displacement camp in Fina in Sudan, more than 200 unaccompanied children have been identified, a heart-breaking snapshot of a crisis in which children continue to suffer in silence. 
Today, two-thirds of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian support, including more than 17 million children. Children like 11-year-old Ibrahim who fled his hometown with his family after his home was shelled.
“The sky was black with smoke, and I saw people covered in blood,” Ibrahim recalls. “We ran until we could not breathe. I thought we would be safe here, but there is nothing but dust. I used to have books and a bed. Now we sleep on the ground in a makeshift shelter and I wait for food that never comes.”
World Vision teams are working round the clock in Sudan to deliver food, clean water, nutrition therapy, and child protection services, but the gap between need and available resources is growing at a catastrophic rate. 
World Vision Sudan National Director, Simon Mane, says time is running out for an entire generation of children.
“The children of Sudan have shown incredible resilience, but resilience has its limits. They need the world to care about their survival and to step up and do more. Every hour of delay increases the risk of death for more children.” 
World Vision is also calling on the New Zealand Government to urgently increase humanitarian funding and support international efforts toward a ceasefire.
New Zealanders can donate to World Vision’s Sudan Emergency Appeal at www.WVNZ.org.nz/CHR or by calling 0800 800 776.
Note:
World Vision in Sudan: World Vision has operated in Sudan for over 40 years and is currently delivering life-saving food, clean water, nutrition and child protection services to communities across the country. Sudan is now home to the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 13 million people forced from their homes.
About World Vision New Zealand: World Vision New Zealand is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision operates in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/13/world-vision-a-generation-lost-sudans-children-pay-the-price-of-three-years-of-conflict/

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Sleep your way to smoother skin: MyWrinkles founder wins Soda’s Growth Lab

April 13, 2026

Source: Soda Inc.

A simple idea with big potential – smoothing wrinkles while you sleep – has won Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab and $2,000 to support its next stage of growth.
MyWrinkles founder, Lara Hofer, impressed judges with her science-backed skincare brand which uses reusable, medical-grade silicone patches to smooth fine lines and support healthier skin – offering a non-invasive, non-toxic alternative to Botox and other cosmetic treatments.
The idea grew out of Lara’s business, Myscar, which develops and sells silicone scar treatment products.
“While developing silicone products for scar care, I became increasingly interested in its potential for everyday skincare, particularly its ability to soften fine lines and wrinkles. After years of development and testing, MyWrinkles was created to bring that same trusted technology to facial skincare in a way that is effective, easy to use, and gentle on the skin,” says Lara.
“The Growth Lab has been incredibly valuable for me as a founder. It gave me clarity on how to structure and communicate my business and helped turn what felt like a lot of moving parts into a clear, focused growth plan. Winning gives me real confidence in the direction we are heading with MyWrinkles, and the impact we can have in the beauty industry here in New Zealand and globally.”
The win comes at the culmination of Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, powered by Deloitte. Over the past two months, a cohort of Hamilton-based female founders have taken part in a structured programme designed to build strong business foundations and accelerate growth.
Developed and led by local entrepreneur, Dr Fern Kelly-Zander – co-founder and owner of Rudi’s Bakehouse and Innovation Specialist at Soda – the programme combines online learning with in-person, expert-led workshops and weekly guest speakers.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch participants grow in confidence and clarity week by week,” says Dr Fern Kelly-Zander, Soda Programme Manager and Innovation Specialist.
“By the time they step onto the pitch stage, they’re not just talking about an idea, they’re communicating a well-thought-out business with purpose and direction. That shift is exactly what the Growth Lab is designed to support,”
During the programme, participants learnt practical skills to run and grow successful businesses, covering everything from financial foundations and pricing through to marketing, strategy and long-term planning.
“We created the Growth Lab to equip founders with the tools, knowledge, confidence and connections needed to grow sustainable businesses. The impact the programme has had on participants has been genuinely transformational,” says Anna Devcich, Soda General Manager.
“We’re lucky to have Dr Fern Kelly-Zander who has poured an incredible amount of expertise, energy, time and care into the Growth Lab. As a founder herself, she understands exactly what early-stage businesses need, and that’s reflected in both this programme and Soda’s Business Fundamentals Online platform.”
Delivered in partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, the Business Fundamentals Growth Lab reflects a shared commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional business ecosystem.
“The programme struck a great balance between practical business fundamentals and the excitement of building something new. As head judge, it was rewarding to see founders sharpen their thinking, back themselves, and enjoy the process,” says Stefan Davies, Partner at Deloitte New Zealand.
“Deloitte was proud to support Soda’s first in-person Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, along with the founders who brought such momentum and commitment to the cohort.”
The Business Fundamentals Growth Lab is part of Soda’s wider offering for entrepreneurs and business owners, including access to government funding and support, business events and workshops, startup coaching, and strong community connections.
Business Fundamentals Growth Lab participants
Britt Te Patu – Eventi
Hayley Beaumont – HeyBeau
Kelly Watts – Kultivate Kids
Lara Hofer – MyWrinkles
Lisa Quarrie – Common Compost
Olya Meehan – Topsy Turvy NZ
Zoe Hoole – Makers Common
Soda Soda empowers businesses to grow with confidence and achieve success. We connect entrepreneurs, business owners and key decision makers with the people, tools and expertise they need to accelerate growth. Proudly based in Hamilton, Soda is the Waikato’s Regional Business Partner, guiding local businesses to government funding and support to help them thrive. We also deliver free one-to-one coaching for early-stage founders through Startup Aotearoa. Alongside our programmes, Soda hosts a range of inspiring events designed to motivate and upskill our business community. We’ve also developed Business Fundamentals Online – a digital learning platform offering short, practical courses tailored to support entrepreneurs and business owners across Aotearoa. www.sodainc.com Deloitte Deloitte New Zealand brings together more than 1,800 specialist professionals providing audit, tax, technology and systems, strategy and performance improvement, risk management, corporate finance, business recovery, forensic and accounting services. By fostering inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women, Deloitte aims to shape a business landscape where women are driving transformation and redefining success.
Deloitte is proud to sponsor Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab for Women in Business. Deloitte was involved in the selection panel, group sessions, as well as judging on the pitch night, offering advice and feedback.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/13/sleep-your-way-to-smoother-skin-mywrinkles-founder-wins-sodas-growth-lab/

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AM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for April 13, 2026 – Full Text

AM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for April 13, 2026 – Full Text

Sleep your way to smoother skin: MyWrinkles founder wins Soda’s Growth Lab

April 13, 2026

Source: Soda Inc.

A simple idea with big potential – smoothing wrinkles while you sleep – has won Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab and $2,000 to support its next stage of growth.
MyWrinkles founder, Lara Hofer, impressed judges with her science-backed skincare brand which uses reusable, medical-grade silicone patches to smooth fine lines and support healthier skin – offering a non-invasive, non-toxic alternative to Botox and other cosmetic treatments.
The idea grew out of Lara’s business, Myscar, which develops and sells silicone scar treatment products.
“While developing silicone products for scar care, I became increasingly interested in its potential for everyday skincare, particularly its ability to soften fine lines and wrinkles. After years of development and testing, MyWrinkles was created to bring that same trusted technology to facial skincare in a way that is effective, easy to use, and gentle on the skin,” says Lara.
“The Growth Lab has been incredibly valuable for me as a founder. It gave me clarity on how to structure and communicate my business and helped turn what felt like a lot of moving parts into a clear, focused growth plan. Winning gives me real confidence in the direction we are heading with MyWrinkles, and the impact we can have in the beauty industry here in New Zealand and globally.”
The win comes at the culmination of Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, powered by Deloitte. Over the past two months, a cohort of Hamilton-based female founders have taken part in a structured programme designed to build strong business foundations and accelerate growth.
Developed and led by local entrepreneur, Dr Fern Kelly-Zander – co-founder and owner of Rudi’s Bakehouse and Innovation Specialist at Soda – the programme combines online learning with in-person, expert-led workshops and weekly guest speakers.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch participants grow in confidence and clarity week by week,” says Dr Fern Kelly-Zander, Soda Programme Manager and Innovation Specialist.
“By the time they step onto the pitch stage, they’re not just talking about an idea, they’re communicating a well-thought-out business with purpose and direction. That shift is exactly what the Growth Lab is designed to support,”
During the programme, participants learnt practical skills to run and grow successful businesses, covering everything from financial foundations and pricing through to marketing, strategy and long-term planning.
“We created the Growth Lab to equip founders with the tools, knowledge, confidence and connections needed to grow sustainable businesses. The impact the programme has had on participants has been genuinely transformational,” says Anna Devcich, Soda General Manager.
“We’re lucky to have Dr Fern Kelly-Zander who has poured an incredible amount of expertise, energy, time and care into the Growth Lab. As a founder herself, she understands exactly what early-stage businesses need, and that’s reflected in both this programme and Soda’s Business Fundamentals Online platform.”
Delivered in partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, the Business Fundamentals Growth Lab reflects a shared commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional business ecosystem.
“The programme struck a great balance between practical business fundamentals and the excitement of building something new. As head judge, it was rewarding to see founders sharpen their thinking, back themselves, and enjoy the process,” says Stefan Davies, Partner at Deloitte New Zealand.
“Deloitte was proud to support Soda’s first in-person Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, along with the founders who brought such momentum and commitment to the cohort.”
The Business Fundamentals Growth Lab is part of Soda’s wider offering for entrepreneurs and business owners, including access to government funding and support, business events and workshops, startup coaching, and strong community connections.
Business Fundamentals Growth Lab participants
Britt Te Patu – Eventi
Hayley Beaumont – HeyBeau
Kelly Watts – Kultivate Kids
Lara Hofer – MyWrinkles
Lisa Quarrie – Common Compost
Olya Meehan – Topsy Turvy NZ
Zoe Hoole – Makers Common
Soda Soda empowers businesses to grow with confidence and achieve success. We connect entrepreneurs, business owners and key decision makers with the people, tools and expertise they need to accelerate growth. Proudly based in Hamilton, Soda is the Waikato’s Regional Business Partner, guiding local businesses to government funding and support to help them thrive. We also deliver free one-to-one coaching for early-stage founders through Startup Aotearoa. Alongside our programmes, Soda hosts a range of inspiring events designed to motivate and upskill our business community. We’ve also developed Business Fundamentals Online – a digital learning platform offering short, practical courses tailored to support entrepreneurs and business owners across Aotearoa. www.sodainc.com Deloitte Deloitte New Zealand brings together more than 1,800 specialist professionals providing audit, tax, technology and systems, strategy and performance improvement, risk management, corporate finance, business recovery, forensic and accounting services. By fostering inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women, Deloitte aims to shape a business landscape where women are driving transformation and redefining success.
Deloitte is proud to sponsor Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab for Women in Business. Deloitte was involved in the selection panel, group sessions, as well as judging on the pitch night, offering advice and feedback.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/13/sleep-your-way-to-smoother-skin-mywrinkles-founder-wins-sodas-growth-lab/

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New Zealand’s fuel stocks stable, latest update shows

April 13, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Officials say fuel stocks remain stable. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

The country’s fuel levels have dipped slightly, but officials say stocks remain sufficient and there is still no sign of supply disruption.

The latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) update recorded 59.7 days cover of petrol, as of midnight Wednesday. That’s down from 62.6 days at the last update.

Diesel stocks would stretch 49.1 days (down from 51.7) while jet fuel was set to last 50.7 days (down from 53.5).

Less than half of the total fuel stocks, however, were actually “in-country” with the remainder still on ships.

On-land supplies amounted to about 26 days, 22 days and 25 days of petrol, diesel and jet fuel respectively.

Five ships were up to two days away, with another nine within three weeks of arrival.

MBIE officials said “no concerns” had been reported about future fuel shipments.

“There is currently no indication of fuel supply disruption, and fuel continues to flow normally into New Zealand.”

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/13/new-zealands-fuel-stocks-stable-latest-update-shows/

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Farmer caused death of 140 animals, banned from future ownership

Source: Radio New Zealand

A farmer who caused the death of 140 animals has been sentenced to nine months’ home detention 123rf.com

A Rangitikei farmer who caused the death of more that 140 animals has been sentenced to more than nine months’ home detention and and indefinitely banned from owning animals.

David William Newcombe, 50, was sentenced in the Marton District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

MPI said when Animal Welfare inspectors visited Newcombe’s property they found evidence that 86 contract grazing wagyu cattle had died from underfeeding and being affected by parasites.

It said the remaining 60 wagyu cattle were also in poor body weight condition and underfed, but quickly regained weight after being properly feed.

MPI said a thousand sheep were underfed and many were suffering from worm burdens, and at least 15 sheep had to be euthanised to prevent further suffering.

It said there was also evidence that another 40 sheep had died or had been euthanised because their fleeces had not been shorn for between 18 months and two years, leaving them recumbent.

“This was serious offending. Mr Newcombe failed to live up to his responsibilities to provide enough quality feed and timely veterinarian care for his cattle and sheep and as a result animals suffered and died,” said Shane Keohane, MPI district manager Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance Central.

Newcombe was directed under the Animal Welfare Act to make urgent changes including selling surplus lambs and destocking excess cattle within seven days, but MPI said when an Animal Welfare Inspector and Veterinarian checked back, they found he had not sold all the lambs and had not destocked any cattle.

“Most farmers do the right thing by their animals, but Mr Newcombe clearly did not. This was compounded by the fact that under his grazing contract he had access to free veterinarian but did not appear to use them,” Keohane said.

MPI said animal welfare was everyone’s responsibility and it strongly encourages any member of the public who was aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

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/2026/04/13/farmer-caused-death-of-140-animals-banned-from-future-ownership/

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Christopher Luxon hits back at Wairoa mayor Craig Little over woke comment

Source: Radio New Zealand

Christopher Luxon says he’s happy to be labelled woke if it means New Zealanders are not losing their lives in the recent cyclone.

The Prime Minister held a briefing with reporters in Auckland on Monday afternoon, after Cyclone Vaianu’s course shifted away from Hawke’s Bay late on Sunday.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay councils declared local states of emergency for coastal areas before midday on Saturday, but Wairoa mayor Craig Little refused – saying “we’re becoming woke as a country when it comes to states of emergency”.

Luxon said states of emergency were not woke.

“No, they’re not. I love Craig, I’ve spent a lot of time with him given he’s had some major weather events in Wairoa over the last few years, and so I’ll happily wear a woke label this time if it means we didn’t lose anyone’s lives,” he said.

“This was a significant event with 10 local states of emergency actioned, and in a number of regions there were road closures, power outages and flooding.”

Mayor of Wairoa Craig Little. Nick Monro

He said the government had worked “incredibly well” with Mayor Little in the past including supporting dredging at the harbour entrance, and “I’d sooner be prepared than talking to you about an event that we were underprepared for”.

He said the response got better “each time we have one of these severe weather events”.

“The joinup and the teamwork that we saw between local and central government, NIWA and civil defence, iwi and marae, rural support and first responders and emergency management is truly inspiring.”

The second iterations of Dunedin flooding and fires on the Port Hills had been much better handled than the first time around, but “sadly the same thing’s been happening with our weather events,” he said.

Luxon said it was incumbent on households to prepare for the worst.

Car written off in flood waters this morning waiting to be towed. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“Think about an evacuation plan, make sure we have a container full of our key supplies, don’t go driving through floodwaters because that’s how we’ve been losing lives.

“I think New Zealanders are taking it more seriously, we’re getting better at responding, and that’s all good.”

He said he wanted to thank the New Zealanders who “heeded the call to take personal responsibility and actions to keep themselves and their family safe in this event”.

‘Adult to adult’: Fuel rationing plan to take weeks to finalise after business feedback

Luxon offered reassurance New Zealand had “sufficient” fuel after the latest official numbers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, but it would take “a few more weeks” to finalise the phase 3 and phase 4 fuel prioritisations.

“One of the learnings out of Covid is we don’t want to do this to industry, we don’t want to be operating in a parent-child manner, we want to be operating in an adult-to-adult manner working with industry.

“And they have many of the solutions that we need in order to make sure that we could manage ourselves… if needed,” he said.

“We’ve just had the submissions come in, there’s 2000 of them, we have a series of forums and groups we’ve worked with from day one, we’ve worked with diesel users, we’ve worked with importers, we’ve worked with big key CEO groups and we need to digest all of that.”

While fuel stock numbers were slightly down on the previous update, it was within normal fluctuations, reflecting distribution around the country and “no material issues” with incoming shipments, he said.

The Prime Minister has offered reassurance New Zealand has ‘sufficient’ fuel after the latest official numbers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

“We also do welcome the ceasefire and we hope seriously for constructive negotiations between the parties involved to stop this conflict, but we have all seen how volatile and unpred this conflict has been and how fragile this ceasefire is and negotiations are.

“We continue to call for the Straits of Hormuz to be reopened. The longer shipping in the strait is disrupted, the more it impacts New Zealanders here at home… it is urgent to find a diplomatic solution.”

He refused to confirm further targeted support for those struggling with high fuel prices.

“Our prices at the pump are really set by global prices, as you’d understand… price of oil today is probably $20 lower than what it was just a week ago, we expect those prices to flow through within a week or two.

“Equally, those prices can go up or down very easily based off what’s happening with the conflict.”

Luxon repeated comments that New Zealand could not afford untargeted spending to cushion the blow for all New Zealanders after “reckless Covid spending” had “used up the rainy-day fund and maxed out the credit card”.

He said he thought the government had done well handling the fuel crisis.

“I think we’ve done a very good job. We already had an essential treaties agreement with Singapore for example … I’ve spoken with the Singaporean Prime Minister again but also the South Korean President as well where the vast majority of our supplies come from.

“Those refineries have been doing a good job of trying to find alternative feedstocks and that gives us great confidence and that’s why I say to you, I want to reassure New Zealand, that’s what you’ve seen, New Zealanders are reassured, they know that there is supply of fuel in the country and I think that’s because we’ve done some good work on it.”

Luxon batted away concerns about rising inflation, after ANZ’s prediction earlier in the day of three OCR hikes before the end of the year.

“By the ANZ’s own admission it’s pretty uncertain and there’s a lot of economists with a lot of views about where inflation will go and where economic growth will go… our job from day one as I’ve been saying has been to make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes of Covid.

“We want to be economically responsible economic managers so we actually protect the long-term economy for New Zealanders.”

India FTA talks with Labour ‘very constructive’

Top exporters represented by Business NZ have also signed an open letter calling for all political parties to back the India free trade agreement Luxon announced at the end of last year.

The deal had not been supported by New Zealand First, so support from the opposition will be needed to pass the related legislation.

Labour has not yet agreed, saying there were inconsistencies between National’s public statements about the deal and what the text of the agreement said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in March 2025. Piyal Bhattacharya / The Times of India via AFP

Luxon said conversations with Labour about the deal were “very constructive and good”.

“It shouldn’t be about politics, I don’t think it is, we’re having constructive conversations with Labour – but [they should] get on board because it’s a bipartisan thing, trade.

“Very constructive and good conversations undertaken I think with a tremendous amount of goodwill, we’ve made our ministers and officials available to the Labour side in many meetings now, there’s been an exchange of letters and it’s just essentially alleviating their concerns… helping them understand why we think this is such a fantastic deal.”

He said India was the most populous country in the world and the deal would be looked back on in future as a good one.

“This is about benefiting regular everyday New Zealanders. One in four of them have their jobs tied to trade, in a crisis like we’re experiencing now you want to create more optionally so that our traders and our exporters have more markets to move product to.”

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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/2026/04/13/christopher-luxon-hits-back-at-wairoa-mayor-craig-little-over-woke-comment/

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Do you taste words or hear colours? Here’s the neuroscience behind synaesthesia

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophie Smit, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cognitive Neuroscience‬, University of Sydney

Have you ever tasted a word, or seen colours while listening to music?

If you have, you may be among the 1% to 4% of people who have a fascinating trait known as synaesthesia.

Synaesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where the activation of one sense, such as hearing, triggers the activation of another usually unrelated sense, such as sight. This means people with synaesthesia often experience additional sensations compared to the rest of us.

We’ve devoted a lot of time to understanding this rare phenomenon. While there’s much more to unpack, what we do know shows we don’t all perceive the world in the same way.

What is synaesthesia?

People with synaesthesia are known as synaesthetes. Research suggests synaesthesia may be more common among women, although this could reflect sampling biases, and may be influenced by genetics.

There are many different types of synaesthesia. Some people have auditory-visual synaesthesia, meaning they see colours when they hear sounds. Others see colours when they read, hear or think about letters or numbers. This is known as grapheme-colour synaesthesia. Another example is mirror-touch synaesthesia, where a person feels sensations on their own body when they see another person being touched.

All of us naturally combine information from different senses. For instance, when you watch someone speak, your brain blends what you see and hear to understand them better. In synaesthesia these links are a bit different – a sound might, for example, trigger a visual experience – but may still depend on the same mechanisms.

People with synaesthesia don’t have any control over how their senses collide. Instead, these are spontaneous, vivid experiences that usually stay the same over time. For example, today a person with grapheme-colour synaesthesia may perceive the letter “A” as being red. And they’ll most likely see it as being the same shade even years later.

It’s worth noting synaesthesia is not an illness or disorder. And it doesn’t cause harm or impairment, although some people may find their synaesthesia overwhelming at times. For example, if they feel pain every time they see someone else in pain, going to the movies can be quite disturbing. However, on the whole it does not seem to interfere with daily life. In fact, many people don’t realise they have synaesthesia because it’s simply how they perceive the world.

What causes it?

We don’t yet know exactly what causes synaesthesia. But scientists have come up with two main theories.

1. Synaesthetes have more connections in their brain

According to this view, known as the cross-activation theory, people with synaesthesia have more connections between different parts of their brain. This could happen because their brain hasn’t gotten rid of unused connections between brain cells. This process, known as synaptic pruning, helps the brain work more efficiently and is part of normal development.

Under this theory, a person with grapheme-colour synaesthesia for example, would have the region that recognises letters directly linked to the part that processes colour. So when they see a letter, they perceive it with a colour.

2. Synaesthetes have slightly different activity in their brain

The other main theory is that people with synaesthesia have the same neural connections as non-synaesthetes, but certain pathways might be stronger or more active. Synaesthesia does seem to build on mechanisms we all have. For example, when you see a picture of a grey banana, you know bananas are usually yellow. We even see patterns of brain activity that reflect this. Grapheme-colour synaesthetes might also do this with letters so that when they see black letters, their brain activates specific colours.

Simply put, the debate about what causes synaesthesia comes down to whether synaesthetes have a different brain structure or just use their brains in an alternative way.

Does it make you more creative?

You might’ve heard artists such as Kandinsky or musicians such as Lorde describe their synaesthesia-like experiences. And there is some evidence to suggest synaesthesia is more common among people in creative fields.

One large survey of Australian synaesthetes found roughly 24% had creative occupations, such as being an artist, musician, architect or graphic designer. This is compared to the less than 2% of people in the general population who have these jobs. This gap is striking, even though we don’t understand what’s behind it. One reason may be synaesthetes link ideas and sensations in unusual ways, helping them think more creatively. Research suggests people with certain kinds of synaesthesia may form stronger memories or have more vivid imaginations, but only to a limited extent.

Synaesthesia is a powerful window into how our brains make sense of the world. It reminds us perception is not a fixed, one-size-fits-all process. Rather, it’s something the brain actively builds in ways that are often more varied, and far richer, than we might expect.

– ref. Do you taste words or hear colours? Here’s the neuroscience behind synaesthesia – https://theconversation.com/do-you-taste-words-or-hear-colours-heres-the-neuroscience-behind-synaesthesia-277960

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/13/do-you-taste-words-or-hear-colours-heres-the-neuroscience-behind-synaesthesia-277960/

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Cuba’s unending embargo

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Cuba-flagged LPG/chemical tanker Pastorita leaves Havana Harbour on February 26, 2026. YAMIL LAGE / AFP

Cuba has been under US trade sanctions since 1962 and the past few months have further challenged the Caribbean nation, with tightened economic blockades by America.

University of Canterbury lecturer Josephine Varghese and Ambassador Luis Morejon Rodriguez talk to Kadambari Raghukumar in this Here Now episode.

Last December Josephine Vargehese found herself in the rare position of a being a speaker at a conference in Cuba. It was a chance she’d long been waiting for.

Indian-born, Christchurch based, Josephine Varghese is a lecturer at University of Canterbury, with a focus on analysing geopolitics through a post-colonial lens. She’s always felt drawn to Cuba.

“It’s a nation state that resisted imperialism, just 90 miles away from the United States coast. People are very fascinated by that in Kerala” said Varghese who was born in the south Indian state.

“Kerala has a a revolutionary history itself.”

Kerala occupies a long, narrow strip on the southwest coast of India. Since its formation in 1956, the people of Kerala have often elected the Communist Party of India to lead their legislative assembly.

The state has achieved the highest literacy rate in India and a consistently high GDP, while making huge investments in health and education. And over the years, it has built ties with the communist government and people of Cuba involving ideology, medical research, sport and literature.

“When I was in Cuba, just walking through the streets and having the interest that I have, I invariably talked to people about politics and people are well aware of international politics. When I’m in the West, it’s more around ‘oh India’s poor or backward and you’re running away from there’ – a very narrow understanding of India’s history, whereas in Cuba I felt that the awareness about India was rooted in India’s anti-colonial past.”

Varghese was a speaker at the Tricontinental Conference. The first Tricontinental Conference took place in Havana in 1966. This 60th anniversary event saw over 500 delegates from anticolonial movements across 82 countries from the Global South.

“I saw this as the pinnacle of my career and my life so far,” Varghese said.

She was visiting at a tough time for the Caribbean nation. Cuba’s in the midst of an economic and humanitarian crisis. Its economic struggles date back to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Cuba’s critics point to the communist government’s failure to adapt to the post-Soviet era.

But much of the current pressure stems from America escalating its embargo on Cuba this year – blocking Venezuelan oil and President Donald Trump threatening to “take” the country

Josephine arrived in Cuba in late 2025, before the escalation, but she was already seeing the pressures Cubans were facing.

“I went there in December 2025, actually the last shipment of oil to that country before this recent Russian oil tanker which broke you know USA’s blockade reached there. The last one was December 2025, just before we arrived there. And so it was a very critical time in Cuba.”

Back in New Zealand, Josephine was invited to share her experiences at a talk in Auckland a few weeks ago -where the Cuban ambassador to New Zealand, Luis Morejon Rodriguez was also present.

“We live under sanctions for more than 60 years and we continue trying to do our best. In the current context, diplomacy becomes more of an important. My role is to provide accurate informal information about Cuba, strengthen bilateral relations and promote cooperation between our people. It’s also important to explain the real impact of the blockade and the consequences of that policy to attempt to isolate Cuba. Many people here understand the differences between countries should be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect, not through economic coercion that ultimately affects ordinary people,” Luis Morejon told Here Now.

Some critics point out, however, that many ordinary Cubans have been pressured into silence by their government. Here Now tried to contact people within the Cuban community in New Zealand, but none of the persons contacted wanted to be interviewed.

In response, Luis Morejon responded “Here in New Zealand we have a very small Cuban community and they are spread out for the whole country. It is natural that there are different perspectives regarding Cuba this diversity of view exists in many societies, not only in Cuba. What is important is that discussions are based on respect, facts and understanding and complex reality faced by Cuban people we are consistently emphasize is that political differences should never justify policy that harm the entire population. The Cuban people deserve the opportunity to develop without external pressure or economic strangulation,” Morejon said.

Here Now’s Kadambari Raghukumar asked Varghese if global issues like the embargo on Cuba connect back to New Zealand at all. She said “communities in New Zealand have in the past spoken out vociferously against imperialism, for example, when it came to the anti-apartheid struggle, New Zealand took a leading role among the West, for example, in opposing apartheid, um, but also the anti-nuclear movement over here. We understand that the Pacific is one of the contested spheres of influence. I think that our interest in Aotearoa New Zealand is to have an independent foreign policy that protects us and also protects the Pacific from imperial wars”.

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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/2026/04/13/cubas-unending-embargo/

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Car collides with truck in Hamilton, blocking road

Source: Radio New Zealand

Pukete Bridge remains closed and motorists are warned to expect delays. Pretoria Gordon / RNZ

A car has collided with a truck on Wairere Drive in Hamilton, blocking the road.

A police spokesperson said one person is critically injured while several others are in a serious condition.

The crash happened at about 2.30pm on Monday between Pukete and River roads.

Pukete Bridge remains closed and motorists are warned to expect delays.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/car-collides-with-truck-in-hamilton-blocking-road/

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ABC’s Caper Crew delivers heists and heart – a bright spot in a struggling kids’ TV sector

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University

Australian kids’ TV shows are now few and far between. During the pandemic, the Australian government scrapped decades-old quotas for minimum hours of children’s content to try and bail out flailing commercial television networks. They were never reinstated.

In 2023, the Australian Communications and Media Authority reported the local kids TV sector decreased by more than 84% between 2019 and 2022. Certainly, Bluey continues to top global streaming charts. But beyond this phenomenon – which only financially benefits BBC Studios – local children’s TV has been in grave danger.

Last year, new laws were introduced in Australia to force streaming giants to invest in local content, including children’s programming. But these laws don’t include any minimum title numbers, or hours, per genre, so their tangible impact on kids’ TV remains unclear. For instance, Netflix’s 2026 Australian production slate includes no new kids content.

Essentially, it’s up to our national broadcaster the ABC, and advocacy organisations such as the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), to carry the mantle and deliver this valued content.

The latest collaboration between the ABC and the ACTF is the new live-action family adventure series, Caper Crew. The first children’s series from acclaimed production company Easy Tiger, it demonstrates how good Australian kids TV can be, with a bit of resourcing.

[embedded content]

Heists, hijinks and heartwarming fun

In Caper Crew, 12-year-old Amelia and 9-year-old Kai Delaney live in Woodspring, which they consider to be “the most boring town on Earth”.

Its only claim to fame is that 27 years ago the infamous Kangaroo Gang stole the town’s priceless golden meteorite, “The Nug”. Despite a $100,000 reward, its whereabouts remain a mystery. The series draws inspiration from the true story of the Kangaroo Gang, a group of Australian crooks who pulled off daring jewellery heists around Europe in the 1960s.

Just as Amelia embarks on a campaign to become the Year 6 school captain – against her nemesis and heir to the town’s dynasty, Emilia Katinkatonk – her glamourous con-artist grandmother Queenie mysteriously appears.

Queenie starts to teach her grandchildren the art of the grift, imparting a series of mischievous “con-mandments” from her personal playbook. As she shares her wisdom, Amelia and Kai can’t help but wonder: was this grandmother they never knew about once the Kangaroo Gang’s leader? Does she know where The Nug is?

Amelia and Kai, along with their friends Penelope and Ophelbert, form their own gang called the Joeys. They’re hell-bent on finding The Nug and claiming the reward.

The Joets gang consists of Ophalbert (Tevita Hu), Kai Delaney (Luka Sero), Amelia Delaney (Isabella Zhang) and Penelope Pye (Caitlin Niemotko). ABC

The young cast of Caper Crew are very endearing, even when they precociously break the fourth wall. Tina Bursill’s Queenie is magnetic, Annie Maynard’s Mayor Katie Katinkatonk is gloriously grating, and ABC-favourite Michael Theo as drama teacher Jo Jo Encore will captivate the whole family.

For parents and carers watching with kids, Caper Crew combines a nostalgic ode to millennial classics such as Matilda and Harriet the Spy, with a Wes Anderson-esque visual quality. The series will likely charm young viewers into taking up magic or planning their own heist; parents be warned.

Tina Bursill is magnetic as the kids’ grandmother, Queenie. ABC

Family viewing key for the ABC

Caper Crew is emblematic of the ABC’s recent strategic shift to make shows optimised for co-viewing between parents and kids.

In June 2024, the ABC rebranded its ABC TV Plus channel (a more general family entertainment channel) to ABC Family, which is described as a “destination for big kids and their parents, with comedies, game shows, natural history, and movies”.

According to the ABC’s then-head of programming, acquisitions and streaming, Roberta Allan, this shift sought to capitalise on how most viewers were engaging with the ABC: via smart TVs, rather than on desktop or mobile browsers. As Allan explained:

Creating a brand like ABC Family will mean that we’ll be able to transition children as they get older with their families into that co-viewing safe environment. And expose them to some of the other content we have.

It’s a smart and appealing way to bolster kids programming at the ABC and to encourage a new generation of Australian families to watch together.

Caper Crew is available now on ABC iview and broadcasting on ABC Family.

– ref. ABC’s Caper Crew delivers heists and heart – a bright spot in a struggling kids’ TV sector – https://theconversation.com/abcs-caper-crew-delivers-heists-and-heart-a-bright-spot-in-a-struggling-kids-tv-sector-279216

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/13/abcs-caper-crew-delivers-heists-and-heart-a-bright-spot-in-a-struggling-kids-tv-sector-279216/

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Services sector slumps again as PSI points to deeper contraction

Source: Radio New Zealand

BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich said the services sector was clearly feeling the effects of the conflict in Iran. 123RF

  • Services sector slump deepens
  • All five sub-indices in retreat
  • Negative comments leap higher
  • BNZ says PSI “so poor, economy could soon be contracting”

New Zealand’s services sector has retreated for the third month in a row.

The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) fell 1.6 points to 46.0 in March, well below its long‑term average of 52.8.

A reading below 50 indicates the sector – which accounts for nearly three‑quarters of the economy – is contracting.

BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich said the services sector was clearly feeling the effects of the conflict in Iran.

“The industries that deal mainly in discretionary spending – accommodation, cafes and restaurants, and cultural, recreational and personal services – have been especially impacted, and this is likely to reflect a lack of consumer confidence,” she said.

All five of the index’s sub‑indices were also in contraction.

Activity and sales were the weakest, sliding sharply to 44.6, followed by new orders and business at 45.7.

Stocks and inventories fell to 46.2, employment to 46.4, and supplier deliveries to 47.3.

The mood in the sector was reflected by the share of negative comments, which jumped from 56.4 percent in February, to 69.1 percent in March.

Unsurprisingly, many of the comments cited the effects of the Middle East conflict.

BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said that, in the wake of the report, there was unlikely to be any real improvement in the labour market in the year ahead, and it was hard to imagine conditions improving quickly for many industries in the services sector.

Toplis said the PSI reading was so poor that the combined Performance of Manufacturing/Services (PMI/PSI) indicator was suggesting the economy could soon be contracting.

“While we are not forecasting a recession, these data support our recent decision to significantly downgrade our growth expectations for 2026.”

He described today’s PSI as “a dose of reality”, after Friday’s Manufacturing Index was surprisingly strong at 53.2.

“Some of this undoubtedly represents some initial fallout from the energy price shock, which we fear will grow in impact through April,” he said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/services-sector-slumps-again-as-psi-points-to-deeper-contraction/

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Australia gets its first female army chief, Susan Coyle

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Australia will get its first female chief of army, with the appointment of Lieutenant General Susan Coyle to the post.

Coyle, currently chief of joint capabilities, is the first woman to be appointed head of any of the services in the Australian military.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the appointments of new military chiefs on Monday, ahead the government unveiling its 2026 statement on defence strategy and investment later this week. The appointments commence in July.

The current navy chief, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, will become the new chief of the Defence Force, replacing Admiral David Johnston.

From left to right, newly appointed Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, newly appointed Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Mark Hammond and newly appointed Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Hammond has commanded submarines and the Australian fleet. He has been chief of navy since 2022. As the second naval officer in a row to serve as chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), his expertise is particularly relevant as Australia deals with the AUKUS agreement.

Coyle, who enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1987, has worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels and in command roles. These include commander of the Task Group Afghanistan and commanding officer of the 17th Signal Regiment. She replaces Lieutenant General Stuart as army chief.

Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley was promoted to navy chief from deputy chief.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Coyle’s appointment was deeply significant for women in the ADF, as well as for those considering serving in the future.

Appearing with Albanese and Marles, Hammond confirmed that Australia had the naval capability to respond to any United States request for help in the Strait of Hormuz – although no request had been made.

Hammond said: “We’ve got 10 surface combatants right now, eight of them are at sea today. The navy is ready as it ever has been.”

Speaking earlier, Albanese said Australia had not been asked to help with a Trump blockade of the strait.

He told the ABC: “I want to see the resumption of peace talks. We want to see an end to this conflict. It’s having a devastating impact on the global economy, and the longer it goes, the bigger the impact will be, and the longer the tail will be, as well.”

Albanese leaves on Tuesday on his fuel diplomacy trip to Brunei and Malaysia, following a similar visit to Singapore last week.

– ref. Australia gets its first female army chief, Susan Coyle – https://theconversation.com/australia-gets-its-first-female-army-chief-susan-coyle-280435

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/13/australia-gets-its-first-female-army-chief-susan-coyle-280435/

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As it happened: Cyclone Vaianu leaves roads closed, evacuees still out of homes

Source: Radio New Zealand

The clean-up has begun after severe weather brought on by Cyclone Vaianu hammered much of the North Island at the weekend.

All weather warnings and watches have been lifted for the Bay of Plenty, while the state of local emergency for Tauranga has been lifted.

Vaianu has tracked away from the mainland, after causing power cuts, flooding and road closures across the east coast of the North Island.

The weather system brought 220mm of rain to Coromandel and wind gusts of 126 km/h were recorded at Māhia.

In the central North Island almost 3000 properties remained without power about noon on Monday.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Northern Taranaki, Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Taupō west of the lake.

Read the liveblog below to see how the day unfolded:

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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/2026/04/13/as-it-happened-cyclone-vaianu-leaves-roads-closed-evacuees-still-out-of-homes/

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New Zealand’s top exporters call on parliament to back free trade agreement with India

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 17 March 2025. Piyal Bhattacharya / The Times of India via AFP

Some of New Zealand’s top exporters and business associations have signed an open letter calling on all political parties to back New Zealand’s free trade agreement with India.

The letter described the FTA as a “strategic necessity” for New Zealand’s economic security, but New Zealand First has hit back at the signatories, saying their involvement is an “appalling commentary.”

The government confirmed negotiations had concluded with India in December, but New Zealand First withheld its support over immigration concerns.

It means the government needs Labour’s support to pass the deal through the House, but Labour is still to decide whether it will back the deal.

The open letter, organised by BusinessNZ, was signed by 28 exporters and industry associations, such as Federated Farmers, Zespri, Seafood New Zealand, and Beef and Lamb New Zealand.

The letter said trade was critical to New Zealand’s prosperity, and the FTA was the next significant step forward.

“In an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by rising protectionism, geopolitical tension, and supply chain disruption, New Zealand cannot afford to stand still. Securing better access to India will help build resilience, spread risk, and strengthen our economic position,” the letter said.

“An FTA with India is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity for our economic security.”

BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich said bipartisan support underpinned the strength of New Zealand’s trade.

“New Zealand relies on global markets to drive growth, support jobs and lift incomes,” she said.

“That only works when there is consistency and confidence in our trade settings. That’s why we’re making this call to all political parties today.”

BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich. Supplied

The open letter refers to the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement to a number of sectors, including horticulture, sheep meat, seafood, wine, honey, wood products, seeds and natural fibres, machinery, digital technology and services.

ExportNZ, which sits within the BusinessNZ network, said the deal would be a “major win” for exporters and the wider economy.

Its executive director, Joshua Tan, told Midday Report the letter was aimed at all political parties, not just Labour or New Zealand First.

“We want to have trade seen as a bipartisan, non-political issue here. We think that all political parties need to sign this deal and agree to it,” he said.

“India is on track to become the world’s third largest economy by 2030. Securing fair access to a market the size of India’s backs our farmers, growers, manufacturers, innovators and service providers, as well as the communities that depend on them.”

Tan said the sooner the deal was in place, the better.

“If we are too slow, sectors can be left at a disadvantage to other deals that India… are completing. Namely, the EU deal, which offers better access to the wine exporters, for example,” he said.

“So if we do get this deal in force before that, then we also stand to benefit from the access that the EU has negotiated. That’s why speed is the key here.”

The Meat Industry Association was one of the signatories.

Its chair Nathan Guy told RNZ political parties had a long history of supporting free trade agreements together.

Guy said the deal would remove a 30 percent tariff for the sheep meat sector, and was also significant for wool, pharmaceuticals, and blood products.

“It’s a fantastic deal for our primary sector at a time where there’s geopolitical issues raging around the world, we need this deal more than ever,” he said.

“We’re calling on the government to sign the deal, and we’re calling on political parties to get behind and back it.”

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. RNZ / Mark Papalii

“Signing a contract blindfolded” – Winston Peters

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the letter was a “breathtaking” position for BusinessNZ to take.

“How they and the 28 other businesses and associations could have signed up to support the India FTA without knowing what is in it is an appalling commentary on them all,” Peters posted on social media.

“How on earth can there be any sort of proper analysis of the FTA if they haven’t even read the agreement?”

Peters said his office had asked that question to BusinessNZ, but had not received a response.

“This is tantamount to those businesses signing a contract blindfolded,” he said.

“If it is true that this support for the FTA is not based on the actual text but instead relies on media reports and conflicting perspectives from different parties, it is a terrible indictment on how they operate.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins RNZ / Mark Papalii

“Issues and inconsistencies” – Labour

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Labour had seen the open letter “from the businesses which would benefit from the trade agreement”, and it was important that any deal worked in the long-term interests of all New Zealanders.

Hipkins said Labour had been asking the government for a response to its concerns for almost two months, but the government was yet to provide the detail Labour had requested.

“There are issues and inconsistencies that still need to be clarified by the government to ensure any deal works in the long-term interest of New Zealanders,” Hipkins said.

“Once we’ve received the details and worked through all the advice, we will discuss as a caucus and make a decision about whether to support the legislation.”

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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/2026/04/13/new-zealands-top-exporters-call-on-parliament-to-back-free-trade-agreement-with-india/

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Former boss of failed insurer CBL goes for settlement with financial markets regulator

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Financial Markets Authority’s headquarters in Auckland. Google Maps

The former head of failed insurer CBL has settled with the financial markets regulator over proceedings related to the company’s public share offer in 2015.

Under the settlement with the Financial Markets Authority, Peter Harris agreed to make admissions of liability relating to two breaches of the Financial Markets Conduct Act.

The settlement was announced one day before the public share float-related trial against CBL, and the executor of the estate of former director Alistair Hutchison, who died in 2021.

FMA head of enforcement Margot Gatland said the settlement was a significant milestone in the long-running proceedings that followed CBL’s collapse in 2018.

“The FMA has entered into a settlement with Mr Harris in respect of liability while allowing remaining issues relating to the appropriate penalty to be determined by the court,” Gatland said.

“While admissions have been made, the amount of any pecuniary penalty to be imposed and whether a banning order should be made against Mr Harris remain in dispute.”

Gatland said those issues would be determined by the High Court.

The penalty hearing against Harris was a separate matter to the trial starting Tuesday.

CBL was a share market high-flyer when it listed in 2015, rising to a value of around $750m before collapsing in 2018, triggering a string of investigations and legal cases by the FMA and Serious Fraud Office.

Last year, the former chief financial officer of CBL, Carden Mulholland, was ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in penalties and costs by the High Court, for being an accessory to the breaking of information disclosure rules.

In 2024, Harris and the FMA cut a deal to settle a civil case about market disclosures.

Under the deal, Harris was to admit breaches of rules for not disclosing to investors its insurance business needed to strengthen its reserves, unpaid premiums from its French business and official directions made to its Irish subsidiaries.

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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/2026/04/13/former-boss-of-failed-insurer-cbl-goes-for-settlement-with-financial-markets-regulator/

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World Vision – A GENERATION LOST: SUDAN’S CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE OF THREE YEARS OF CONFLICT

Source: World Vision

  • The conflict in Sudan enters its fourth year with more than 17 million children in desperate need as famine-like conditions grip the nation
  • Malnutrition is rife and nearly one million  children are at risk of death
  • More than 10 million children have not set foot  in a classroom in three years
Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises following three years of relentless violence in which children are paying the most devastating cost. 
World Vision New Zealand warns that without urgent international funding and immediate political action to end the conflict, an entire generation of children could be lost.
Famine-like conditions have been confirmed across multiple regions, driving more than four million children into acute malnutrition. Among them, more than 800,000 are so severely wasted that without specialised treatment, they may not survive.
World Vision New Zealand Country Programme Manager, Sarah Whittaker, says the world is failing Sudan’s children and must act now. 
“New Zealanders have a proud tradition of showing up for the world’s most vulnerable people, and Sudan’s children need that now more than ever.
“This crisis is not winding down, in fact it is accelerating. Every week that passes without adequate action means more children exposed to horrific violence, more children dying of preventable hunger, more girls exposed to violence, and another generation denied an education.”
New Zealand contributed $5 million NZD to Sudan’s humanitarian response in the last financial year.
“New Zealand must urgently increase its humanitarian funding to Sudan to match the scale of the crisis,” Whittaker says.
“So many children are turning up at displacement camps alone, without parents, without protection and without support. Children have nothing and no one to rely on. Humanitarian aid is their only lifeline. Without it, children will not survive.”
In a single displacement camp in Fina in Sudan, more than 200 unaccompanied children have been identified, a heart-breaking snapshot of a crisis in which children continue to suffer in silence. 
Today, two-thirds of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian support, including more than 17 million children. Children like 11-year-old Ibrahim who fled his hometown with his family after his home was shelled.
“The sky was black with smoke, and I saw people covered in blood,” Ibrahim recalls. “We ran until we could not breathe. I thought we would be safe here, but there is nothing but dust. I used to have books and a bed. Now we sleep on the ground in a makeshift shelter and I wait for food that never comes.”
World Vision teams are working round the clock in Sudan to deliver food, clean water, nutrition therapy, and child protection services, but the gap between need and available resources is growing at a catastrophic rate. 
World Vision Sudan National Director, Simon Mane, says time is running out for an entire generation of children.
“The children of Sudan have shown incredible resilience, but resilience has its limits. They need the world to care about their survival and to step up and do more. Every hour of delay increases the risk of death for more children.” 
World Vision is also calling on the New Zealand Government to urgently increase humanitarian funding and support international efforts toward a ceasefire.
New Zealanders can donate to World Vision’s Sudan Emergency Appeal at www.WVNZ.org.nz/CHR or by calling 0800 800 776.
Note:
World Vision in Sudan: World Vision has operated in Sudan for over 40 years and is currently delivering life-saving food, clean water, nutrition and child protection services to communities across the country. Sudan is now home to the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 13 million people forced from their homes.
About World Vision New Zealand: World Vision New Zealand is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision operates in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/world-vision-a-generation-lost-sudans-children-pay-the-price-of-three-years-of-conflict/

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Sleep your way to smoother skin: MyWrinkles founder wins Soda’s Growth Lab

Source: Soda Inc.

A simple idea with big potential – smoothing wrinkles while you sleep – has won Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab and $2,000 to support its next stage of growth.
MyWrinkles founder, Lara Hofer, impressed judges with her science-backed skincare brand which uses reusable, medical-grade silicone patches to smooth fine lines and support healthier skin – offering a non-invasive, non-toxic alternative to Botox and other cosmetic treatments.
The idea grew out of Lara’s business, Myscar, which develops and sells silicone scar treatment products.
“While developing silicone products for scar care, I became increasingly interested in its potential for everyday skincare, particularly its ability to soften fine lines and wrinkles. After years of development and testing, MyWrinkles was created to bring that same trusted technology to facial skincare in a way that is effective, easy to use, and gentle on the skin,” says Lara.
“The Growth Lab has been incredibly valuable for me as a founder. It gave me clarity on how to structure and communicate my business and helped turn what felt like a lot of moving parts into a clear, focused growth plan. Winning gives me real confidence in the direction we are heading with MyWrinkles, and the impact we can have in the beauty industry here in New Zealand and globally.”
The win comes at the culmination of Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, powered by Deloitte. Over the past two months, a cohort of Hamilton-based female founders have taken part in a structured programme designed to build strong business foundations and accelerate growth.
Developed and led by local entrepreneur, Dr Fern Kelly-Zander – co-founder and owner of Rudi’s Bakehouse and Innovation Specialist at Soda – the programme combines online learning with in-person, expert-led workshops and weekly guest speakers.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch participants grow in confidence and clarity week by week,” says Dr Fern Kelly-Zander, Soda Programme Manager and Innovation Specialist.
“By the time they step onto the pitch stage, they’re not just talking about an idea, they’re communicating a well-thought-out business with purpose and direction. That shift is exactly what the Growth Lab is designed to support,”
During the programme, participants learnt practical skills to run and grow successful businesses, covering everything from financial foundations and pricing through to marketing, strategy and long-term planning.
“We created the Growth Lab to equip founders with the tools, knowledge, confidence and connections needed to grow sustainable businesses. The impact the programme has had on participants has been genuinely transformational,” says Anna Devcich, Soda General Manager.
“We’re lucky to have Dr Fern Kelly-Zander who has poured an incredible amount of expertise, energy, time and care into the Growth Lab. As a founder herself, she understands exactly what early-stage businesses need, and that’s reflected in both this programme and Soda’s Business Fundamentals Online platform.”
Delivered in partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, the Business Fundamentals Growth Lab reflects a shared commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional business ecosystem.
“The programme struck a great balance between practical business fundamentals and the excitement of building something new. As head judge, it was rewarding to see founders sharpen their thinking, back themselves, and enjoy the process,” says Stefan Davies, Partner at Deloitte New Zealand.
“Deloitte was proud to support Soda’s first in-person Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, along with the founders who brought such momentum and commitment to the cohort.”
The Business Fundamentals Growth Lab is part of Soda’s wider offering for entrepreneurs and business owners, including access to government funding and support, business events and workshops, startup coaching, and strong community connections.
Business Fundamentals Growth Lab participants
Britt Te Patu – Eventi
Hayley Beaumont – HeyBeau
Kelly Watts – Kultivate Kids
Lara Hofer – MyWrinkles
Lisa Quarrie – Common Compost
Olya Meehan – Topsy Turvy NZ
Zoe Hoole – Makers Common
Soda Soda empowers businesses to grow with confidence and achieve success. We connect entrepreneurs, business owners and key decision makers with the people, tools and expertise they need to accelerate growth. Proudly based in Hamilton, Soda is the Waikato’s Regional Business Partner, guiding local businesses to government funding and support to help them thrive. We also deliver free one-to-one coaching for early-stage founders through Startup Aotearoa. Alongside our programmes, Soda hosts a range of inspiring events designed to motivate and upskill our business community. We’ve also developed Business Fundamentals Online – a digital learning platform offering short, practical courses tailored to support entrepreneurs and business owners across Aotearoa. www.sodainc.com Deloitte Deloitte New Zealand brings together more than 1,800 specialist professionals providing audit, tax, technology and systems, strategy and performance improvement, risk management, corporate finance, business recovery, forensic and accounting services. By fostering inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for women, Deloitte aims to shape a business landscape where women are driving transformation and redefining success.
Deloitte is proud to sponsor Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab for Women in Business. Deloitte was involved in the selection panel, group sessions, as well as judging on the pitch night, offering advice and feedback.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/sleep-your-way-to-smoother-skin-mywrinkles-founder-wins-sodas-growth-lab/

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Serious crash, Wairere Drive, Hamilton

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are at the scene of a serious crash involving a car and truck, which has blocked Wairere Drive at Harrowfield, Hamilton.

The crash was reported about 2.30pm and happened between Pukete and River roads.

One person has critical injuries while several others are reportedly in serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit is carrying out a scene examination and Pukete Bridge remains closed while emergency service work at the scene.

Members of the public are asked to avoid the area, and diversions are in place.

Further information will be issued when it becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/04/13/serious-crash-wairere-drive-hamilton/

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MEDIA ADVISORY: More police for New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to the Wing 394 Reverend Tieki Kaa recruit graduation.

What: Graduation of the New Zealand Police 394 Recruit Wing.
Who: For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.
Why: Completion and graduation from their initial training course.
Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua.
When: Thursday 16 April at 2pm – media will need to be in place by 1.45pm.
How: RSVP the Police Media Centre if you’re attending: media@police.govt.nz

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will attend the ceremony with Wing Patron, Reverend Tieki Kaa.

Wing 394 Patron

Wing 394 has been supported by Wing Patron Reverend Tieki Kaa, a former police officer, affectionately nicknamed ‘Papa Jack’ by recruits. A kaumātua of Horouta Marae, Tieki himself graduated from Wing 37 in 1967.

A long-time supporter of the Royal New Zealand Police College, he has connected Police recruits to Māori culture, tikanga and the importance of the marae to the people of Porirua.

Wing 394 graduates

A dad following in his police officer son’s footsteps, a science lab technician, an award-winning press photographer, a fashion designer, an NZ judo representative, several tradies, and academic scholars are among the 394 class. Also in Wing 394 are five current Police staff members who have jumped from non-constabulary roles to the uniform branch including a Police College café barista who had a close-up view of recruit life having made coffee for hundreds of recruits prior to her own application.

Follow us:

Watch for updates from the graduation on our Instagram – follow us here.

More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Thursday and a follow up Ten One story will be published later this month. 

ENDS 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/04/13/media-advisory-more-police-for-new-zealand/

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New Zealand’s fuel stocks stable, latest update shows

Source: Radio New Zealand

Officials say fuel stocks remain stable. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

The country’s fuel levels have dipped slightly, but officials say stocks remain sufficient and there is still no sign of supply disruption.

The latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) update recorded 59.7 days cover of petrol, as of midnight Wednesday. That’s down from 62.6 days at the last update.

Diesel stocks would stretch 49.1 days (down from 51.7) while jet fuel was set to last 50.7 days (down from 53.5).

Less than half of the total fuel stocks, however, were actually “in-country” with the remainder still on ships.

On-land supplies amounted to about 26 days, 22 days and 25 days of petrol, diesel and jet fuel respectively.

Five ships were up to two days away, with another nine within three weeks of arrival.

MBIE officials said “no concerns” had been reported about future fuel shipments.

“There is currently no indication of fuel supply disruption, and fuel continues to flow normally into New Zealand.”

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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/2026/04/13/new-zealands-fuel-stocks-stable-latest-update-shows/