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Weather: Severe thunderstorms may hit parts of North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of the central North Island for Friday afternoon and evening.

The yellow alert covers Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Taihape.

MetService says there is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms with localised rainfall of up to 40 millimetres an hour.

It could cause flooding in low lying areas, and slips.

Drivers should take care.

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

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Explore new Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct  

Source: Auckland Council

Mercury Lane and Beresford Square, two upgraded public spaces framing the forecourts of Karanga-a-Hape Station, are finished and now open for the public to explore.

This milestone completes many years of complex construction works above ground, preparing the area for the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) in the second half of 2026.

The improvements – led by Auckland Transport and supported by Auckland Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) – include upgrades to Pitt Street, Beresford Square, Mercury Lane, Cross Street, Canada Street and East Street.

The works include new footpaths, bus stops, bus lanes, bike lanes, rain gardens and public art in redesigned streets and spaces around the station.

Councillor Andy Baker says the upgrade of station neighbourhoods, the CRL itself and the CRL-enabled timetable will improve how the city moves, grows and competes.

“When you look at the big modern cities, they are all premised on having a really well functioning, efficient and attractive public transport network based on rail, generally.

“Looking at all four CRL station precincts, the one I think is going to go nuts is Karanga-a-Hape. It’s one of our most iconic places in the city. It mirrors a lot of the funky, cosmopolitan parts of other big cities – like Fitzroy in Melbourne,” Councillor Baker says.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to jump on a train down the road from my place in the south, exit the station at Mercury Lane, and head to St. Kevin’s Arcade with its awesome restaurants, or the other eclectic parts of Karangahape Road,” he says.

Auckland Council Director of Resilience and Infrastructure, Barry Potter, says the CRL is a real driver of positive change across the region.

“The CRL’s new stations will also drive development, just as Waitematā Station has in downtown. We’re seeing high quality development around the stations, and that’s massively important. It has a catalyst effect,” he says.

Next station neighbourhood – ready

First it was the Waitematā Station neighbourhood in downtown that was completed. And now Aucklanders can experience the next completed CRL station neighbourhood. 

We’ve created a ten-stop walk along Karangahape Road, taking in many of the newest design elements and discovering how they reflect this area’s unique history and identity.

1. Pāua bus shelters

These are much more than bus shelters, sitting on the motorway overpass at the Ponsonby Road end of the main street. The layers of colour symbolise the pāua-shell eyes of Māori carvings reimagined into a material adorning the structures.

Photo credit: KBA.

2. Cycleways

Separated bike lanes along each side of Karangahape Road are popular for active commuters, as are new separated cycle lanes on Canada Street and East Street linking up with existing cycle routes such as Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath. Pitt Street and Vincent Street are also now linked into the cycle network.

3. Public art

Thief sculpture on Karangahape Road.

Karangahape Road has playful public art on almost every corner. Favourites are Twist and Thief, both by Tanja McMillan and John Oz. Small in stature, Thief is a bronze sculpture of a boy and a piglet playing tug of war over a turnip. And Twist is a charming, cartoon-like sculpture of a young girl and her elephant. To find other artworks along Karangahape Road, digitally geo-locate them at aucklandpublicart.com.

4. Rain gardens

Rain gardens bring welcome splashes of foliage to the street, while supporting the city’s stormwater system. Rain run-off flows into the gardens where the soil and plant roots absorb and filter contaminants before the water flows into the stormwater network.

5. Engraved metal discs

Under wooden street furniture you’ll see stainless-steel circular inlays in the paving. Designers drew inspiration for the discs from shell pathways, once said to be found along this ridgeline, reflecting the moonlight and lighting the way. The discs reflect the colours and patterns of light in present day Karangahape Road. Artist Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) guided the design of both the pāua bus shelters and steel discs.

6. Rainbow crossings

An aerial shot of Karangahape Rd. Photo credit: Landlab.

Karangahape Road wouldn’t be true to its identity without a celebration of the rainbow community, embraced by this street throughout its evolution. Walk the two rainbow crossings and feel the vibe of this colourful, inclusive neighbourhood.

7. Beresford Square

Arrive in Beresford Square, the northern forecourt of Karanga-a-Hape Station, and you’ll notice Te Pō – a striking 6-metre vent embellished with bronze-cast manaia (figures) on all four sides. The figures represent kaitiakitanga (stewardship and protection of the natural environment). You’ll see a weathered patina reflecting the texture of pounamu on the surface of each bronze figure. The square’s paving also tells a story. The pattern resembles dappled light shining through a forest canopy, symbolic of Tāne Mahuta, God of the Forest.

8. Mercury Lane

Mercury Lane and station. Photo credit: Auckland Transport.

In Mercury Lane – now a pedestrian-priority space – you will see lighting posts depicting the story of Tāne Mahuta. As the legend goes, with tall trees acting as tokotoko (posts), Tāne held up the sky and let in the light. You’ll also see four engraved kōwhatu (volcanic rocks) in the landscape of Mercury Lane and surrounding streets – these are symbols of life force that acknowledge the flow of people, energy, and stories from all directions and walks of life. Overhead lighting and star motif projections will mark Te Whānau Marama, the light-giving family – the sun, moon, and stars. Lead mana whenua artist for Mercury Lane and Beresford Square was Pāora Puru (Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua).  

9. St Kevin’s Arcade 

St Kevins Arcade. Photo credit: Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

Built in 1924, St Kevin’s Arcade is one of the city centre’s heritage jewels. Home to thriving restaurants and clubs, it sits in the heart of this creative, culinary neighbourhood. Take a moment to pause and admire the view of Myers Park. 

10. Myers Park

Waimahara artwork at Myers Park.

Myers Park is a place where art truly meets infrastructure. 344 mature trees provide shade in the park, attract birds, improve air quality and absorb carbon. The park’s award-winning artwork Waimahara is interactive – sing a special waiata and the artwork will listen and respond, accompanying you with an awe-inspiring display of light and sound. Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Manu) led this ground-breaking art project.

Read more about the benefits of CRL on OurAuckland.

City Rail Link information brochures are available in eight languages on the Auckland Transport website.

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Update: Manawatū River search

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Palmerston North Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Ward:

The search for a missing man in the Manawatū River has moved to a limited search phase today.

The decision has been made after extensive searches of the river, through to the Foxton Estuary and the surrounding area.

Police will continue to conduct drone sweeps of areas of interest, and patrols along Foxton Beach.

Police thank Land Search and Rescue, Police Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Swiftwater Rescue, regional response teams, Coastguard Manawatū, and everyone else involved in the search operation.

Police are continuing to provide support to the family of the man.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

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Hillary Clinton faces off with House lawmakers in Epstein probe

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Annie Grayer, CNN

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pictured in February 2026. ADAM BERRY / AFP

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is facing off with the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview as part of the panel’s investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Thursday’s (local time) deposition in Chappaqua, New York, is the culmination of a vigourous fight by both the former secretary of state and former Democratic President Bill Clinton over testifying in what they denounced as a Republican plot against them.

Clinton has said she cannot recall ever meeting Epstein and only interacted with his former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, a handful of times. Republicans, however, insist her testimony is vital to their probe, while Democrats have argued their colleagues’ fixation on the former secretary of state is purely political.

“I want everybody treated the same way. That’s not true for my husband and me because other witnesses were asked to testify. They gave written statements under oath. We offered that,” she told the BBC in an interview earlier this month. “Why do they want to pull us into this? To divert attention from President (Donald) Trump. This is not complicated.”

Clinton is being interviewed the day before her husband’s appearance, which will be the first time a former president has been forced to testify in a congressional probe. The pair of interviews will be videotaped and transcribed, and lawmakers from both parties will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The Clintons only agreed to comply with their subpoenas for closed-door depositions after the House had moved toward a bipartisan vote to hold them in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to appear as scheduled.

The former secretary of state was accompanied by her attorneys, who have been working through painstaking details of what areas could be covered during questioning.

The location for the depositions, the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, was negotiated between Kendall and Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, in hopes of avoiding the indignity and precedent-setting move of summoning a former president to Capitol Hill for questioning.

Proceedings halted for a short time

Lauren Boebert WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY / AFP

Meanwhile, AFP reports the hearing was paused after a photo of the former Secretary of State taken during the deposition was posted online, an apparent breach of the rules.

The photo appeared on the X account of right-wing commentator Ben Johnson who credited the image to Republican committee member Lauren Boebert, prompting lawyers to discuss how to proceed.

“Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition,” Boebert wrote on X after an advisor to Clinton, Nick Merrill, told journalists the hearing was paused while lawyers established “why possibly members of Congress are violating House rules”.

The hearing, while closed to the public, is being recorded. Images and video may be released later, possibly following Bill Clinton’s testimony to the committee on Friday (Saturday NZ time).

The hearing has now resumed.

Days of preparation

To prepare, the Clintons in recent days have hunkered down to not only refresh their memories about the Epstein years, but to prepare to counter potentially hostile congressional investigators. Their separate appearances speak to the differences in information the two could offer to the committee.

The Clintons and members of the House Oversight Committee have agreed to five topic areas for the depositions, a person familiar with the agreement told CNN. They are:

  • Alleged mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation into Epstein and Maxwell;
  • the circumstances and subsequent investigations of Epstein’s 2019 death;
  • the ways the federal government could effectively combat sex-trafficking rings;
  • how Epstein and Maxwell sought to curry favour to protect their illegal activities;
  • and potential violations of ethics rules related to elected officials.

Initially, the Clintons wanted their subpoenas for depositions to be waived for sworn statements under oath, an accommodation that Comer granted to several other witnesses in the investigation. But the Oversight Committee chairman wanted them to appear on his terms.

Clinton attorneys and the Republican-led panel negotiated behind the scenes for months, through email exchanges, letters and phone calls to try and find an off-ramp.

When the Clintons did not appear for their scheduled depositions in January, Comer scheduled a vote to hold the pair in criminal contempt.

“Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time,” the Clintons wrote in January when they announced they would not be appearing for their in-person scheduled depositions.

Triple the number of Democrats voted to hold the former president in contempt compared to the former first lady, but the bipartisan votes took House Democratic leadership by surprise.

Bill Clinton has never been accused by law enforcement of any wrongdoing related to Epstein, and a spokesperson has repeatedly said he cut ties before Epstein’s arrest on federal charges in 2019 and was unaware of any crimes.

A CNN review showed the former president travelled on Epstein’s private plane at least 16 times, and he was pictured in Epstein case files released by the Justice Department with women in a jacuzzi, as well as with Maxwell.

Survivors of Epstein’s abuse and lawyers representing them told CNN that they believe it is important for the Clintons, and especially the former president, to testify. In interviews, they stressed that the presence of an individual in the Epstein files and their cooperation with Congress does not indicate wrongdoing.

In the current political environment, victims of Epstein hold far more sway with many Democratic lawmakers than a sense of loyalty to the Clintons. More than 40 current House Democrats were born in 1980 or later, giving them different memories of Bill Clinton’s presidency than party leaders who were in Washington when he ended 12 years of Republican control of the White House.

–CNN / AFP

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

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‘Gap closing’: Football Ferns ready for Pacific challenge

Source: Radio New Zealand

Football Ferns www.photosport.nz

Coach Michael Mayne says the Football Ferns won’t take their Oceania qualifying campaign in the Solomon Islands lightly, despite their traditional dominance over Pacific rivals.

New Zealand take their first step towards qualifying for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup when they face Samoa in Honiara (3pm NZT).

Their other Group A opponents are the Solomon Islands and America Samoa, with the top two teams from the pool advancing to the semi-finals and final, hosted by New Zealand in April.

Mayne said the message to his players is that the standard is improving within Oceania.

“We know what’s at the end of this series. I think it’s good that we still feel pressure coming into these games. That’s the way it should be,” Mayne said.

“I know these other three teams are going to be all chasing the same dream. I think in terms of the women’s game in the Pacific… I’ve been around the age group. I’ve been to a number of these tournaments. I can see the gap closing.

“I know every single one of these teams that we play over the next 10 days will be well set up, well organised. That’s exciting for us, and we’re used to tough challenges.

“There’s no point worrying about the final or anything. We’ve got to get through the next week first. That’s a good place to be, I think, mentally for the group.”

Michael Mayne www.photosport.nz

Mayne said his players acclimatised quickly to the heat of Honiara.

“The first couple of days have been really good. The facilities and everything here are looking great for the way we want to play and I think probably the difference at the moment is I’m really lucky to have a squad that’s based all around the world in different clubs, different environments, playing different levels.

“To be able to sort of draw some of that experience into the team but also have some really exciting players coming into our squad for this one is a real positive, I think, for the team.”

Three uncapped players are in Mayne’s 23-woman squad.

They are teenage Wellington Phoenix forward Pia Vlok, Newcastle Jets midfielder Charlotte Lancaster and Australian-based goalkeeper Maddie Iro.

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

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Iron Maiden and Megadeth announce NZ show

Source: Radio New Zealand

British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden are bringing their Run for Your Lives tour to New Zealand.

The band, formed in 1970s East London, have announced one show for Auckland’s Spark Arena on 7 November.

Iron Maiden first visited New Zealand in December 1992, playing to 3000 fans at the Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland. They have been back four times in total, most recently in 2024.

For the fifth visit at the end of 2026 they will be joined by American heavy metal band, Megadeth.

Tickets go on sale to the public on 6 March.

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

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Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier well-placed at rain-hit NZ Open

Source: Radio New Zealand

Daniel Hillier of New Zealand talks to caddy Steve Williams during round one of the New Zealand Open. photosport

In-form Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier flexed his muscles in his curtailed opening round as rain played a part on the first day of the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Unheralded Australian Matias Sanchez was the leader after day one at Millbrook Resort on seven-under, one stroke clear of New Zealand amateur Yuki Miya, who was among nearly half of the 156-strong field still to complete their round.

Among that group who will return early to the course on Friday was New Zealand’s second-best player Hillier, who was five-under with five holes still to play.

He sat level with seasoned Australian Wade Ormsby and American veteran Kevin Na, a five-time winner on the US PGA Tour.

Early rain forced a late start, slowing the fairways and greens.

It didn’t stop Hillier unfurling an impressive 13 holes and continuing his strong form from the World Tour.

The 27-year-old has racked up three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at Dubai, to win about $1 million and break into the world’s top 100 rankings.

He was also married on Saturday, an event that didn’t affect his game in the fading light of Central Otago.

Fellow-Kiwi and World Tour player Kazuma Kobori is a shot back on four-under, also hoping to be the first New Zealander to win the national open in nine years and just the third in 20 years.

Kazuma Kobori. www.photosport.nz

Kobori produced the shot of the day, holing out on the 210m fourth hole of the Remarkables course, his second ace of the Australasia PGA Tour season, following on from the Party Hole at the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

“It was kind of unexpected to get (another) one so soon,” Kobori said.

“You don’t really expect to hole it on that hole, especially with 4-iron in hand in these conditions.”

Sanchez cashed in on the best scoring conditions to shoot 64 on the Remarkables course, holing his last putt just before 8.30pm.

“I was just really happy to get it done, get the round in,” Sanchez said of his bogey-free round.

“This (event) is right up there, so to do it here, it’s really special, but I know it’s a quarter of the way down. It doesn’t really mean a whole lot.”

Matias Sanchez. www.photosport.nz

Ormsby, whose last tournament was as a fill-in player at LIV Adelaide, could rightly claim to have produced the best round of Thursday. His 66 came on the Coronet course which played considerably the more difficult of the two, providing just 10 of the top 29 scores on the end-of-day leaderboard.

A winner of five titles on the Asian Tour, including the Hong Kong Open twice, the South Australian is still searching for a victory on his home tour.

“I’ve never won on the Aussie tour and that’s something that I’ve always wanted to try and do,” Ormsby said.

“It’s nice to put myself towards the pointy end early in the week.”

After leaving LIV Golf, Na has come to Queenstown to start a new chapter of his 24-year professional career and he negotiated yesterday’s round without a bogey.

“I haven’t played competition golf in three months or so, maybe longer, but I feel like there’s a good energy, there’s a positive energy and I’m happy,” he said.

“Mind is fresh and I feel like I have a chance to enjoy golf more.”

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

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Aucklanders protest government’s move-on orders for rough sleepers

Source: Radio New Zealand

People living and working in Auckland’s central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known. Supplied

People living and working in Auckland’s central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known.

On Thursday night, about 30 rangatahi took their sleeping bags to Karangahape Road to protest the government’s new move-on orders.

The government confirmed this week that it would give police the power to move on rough sleepers, beggars, or people displaying disorderly behaviour, not just from Auckland CBD but from all town centres in the country.

Those who did not comply could be fined up to $2000 or jailed for up to three months.

Musician and activist Jazmine Mary organised the sit-in at St Kevin’s Arcade.

“We’ve got signs that say ‘homes not handcuffs’, ‘care not criminalisation’, ‘sleeping is not a crime’, we’ve got people reading books and sitting on sleeping bags and having conversations about how things can change.”

They said it was important to show solidarity with the unhoused community on the street.

“That’s a part of why we’re here to show that community that we’re on their side. And we’re also here to show any businesses in this area that aren’t on that side that we care, and we’re here, and we actually have a lot of power. And to ask the government, our public servants, to listen to us.”

Musician, artist, and activist Jazmine Mary, who organised the sit in. Supplied

Another protestor, 24-year-old Mars Cook said the issue was personal for him.

“I’m using my privilege as a person who was formally homeless and now has housing, so I can be here and sit here and do a little bit of civil disobedience and raise awareness.

“This issue is perhaps the biggest issue that we have in the CBD and in Auckland in general, which is a lack of access to affordable, safe housing.”

Ricki Dewstow, 23, was also outraged.

“This hits particularly hard for me. I’m not able to pay my rent this week. I’m so lucky to have a lovely friend that’s helping me.

“Being homeless and sleeping on the street could happen to anyone in a matter of hours. Being told to move up the street isn’t going to help you. It’s going to further stigmatise you and make you angry.”

People living and working in Auckland’s central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known. Supplied

Auckland City Mission’s chief executive, Helen Robinson, updated the Auckland Council on homelessness and her concerns about the move on orders on Thursday.

After the meeting, she told RNZ she feared the move would push those who needed it away from support services like theirs in the CBD.

“The Auckland City Mission and our building here, Homeground, is located smack bang in the centre of the central city. We’re a block from Sky City and two streets up parallel to Queen Street. Should the move on orders come, and let’s say someone is in the middle of Queen Street and they’re asked to move on a reasonable distance, which is what we understand the legislation says at the moment, that could mean they wouldn’t be able to access our building.”

She said the City Mission was looking at applying to be a legally recognised place of refuge so people issued move-on orders could legally access its premises.

She believed the government’s plan would not be effective in reducing anti-social behaviour.

“I do really acknowledge the genuine intent of the legislation proposed to support a good law and order move, the Auckland City Mission wants that. And what we’re genuinely saying is the answer is homes and support, not move-on orders.”

Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Speaking to media in Auckland yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon did not share Robinson’s view.

“I disagree completely. What we’re doing here is giving police the tools to deal with disruptive and anti-social behaviour in our CBD. And it’s one tool that they have. Each individual circumstance is actually very complicated and complex, and police will make the assessment as to whether they exercise the move on order or plug the person into social services.

“But we want our families, visitors, and the public to be able to come into the city and not be abused, threatened, and intimidated.”

But Aucklanders like 30-year-old Audrey May, who took part in the Karangahape Road protest, were not backing down.

“It’s deeply wrong and unfair to allow people to be fined $2000 that they probably can’t afford or a three-month prison sentence. It’s kind of ludicrous, to be honest.

“I’m lucky that I can choose to come and sit down here for a few hours, whereas people born into different circumstances don’t get that choice. They’re sitting on the ground because they have nowhere else to sit.”

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

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Flood early warning systems – where are they in the Civil Defence Act overhaul?

Source: Radio New Zealand

An overhaul of emergency management legislation has reached the crucial stage of submissions to a parliamentary select committee. RNZ

Transpower is questioning why early warning systems during disasters do not rate as essential infrastructure under an overhaul of emergency management legislation.

The overhaul has reached the crucial stage of submissions to a parliamentary select committee, in a years-long one-step-forward-and-another-back effort to replace a 24-year-old Civil Defence Act that multiple inquiries have poked holes in.

Submitters said they broadly backed the push but questioned where was the likes of decisionmaking power for Māori, who so often stepped into the breach amid storms, where was alignment with climate change policies, and where was the money to make real change happen.

“The core question for us is straightforward,” Christchurch City Council’s Civil Defence manager Brendan Winder told the MPs, “If Parliament wants higher and more consistent capability across the country, who will fund that uplift?”

‘Brutally tied to best endeavours’

Transpower asked where flood protection services and early warning and monitoring systems were at.

The bill would set up a new schedule of emergency infrastructure providers with new obligations to protect things like celltowers, power lines and emergency broadcasting.

“We consider that the failure to include ‘flood protection services’ and ‘early warning system services’ in Schedule 3 from the outset would have potential negative implications, effects, and costs,” said its written submission.

The lack of warning of rampaging floodwaters that swept people away in Esk Valley near Napier has trigger repeated angry calls by locals for change.

When the Esk River burst its banks during Cyclone Gabrielle, floodwaters filled the entire valley. Supplied

“All of those warning systems are not hard-coded or identified anywhere in any legislation as being important,” Transpower’s senior principal engineer Andrew Renton told the committee this week.

“And therefore councils and everybody else are brutally tied to best endeavours.”

Transpower made its own efforts, including under other laws and regulations that already demanded this: flood protection services had reduced the risks for its Edgecumbe Substation, while monitoring of the Poorman Valley Stream had cut it for its Stoke Substation.

‘New ways to be punished’

Cyclone Gabrielle was a nadir among several low points over two decades of emergency responses marked by individual heroism and systemic failings, with inquiries later on calling for urgent changes.

However, the government has maintained that since Gabrielle local responses had improved a lot.

It scrapped an earlier, drawnout approach by the previous government to overhaul Civil Defence.

The size of the stick wielded under the new law – going as far as criminal offences with fines or imprisonment – had Engineering NZ (ENZ) worried.

“We are concerned the bill adds new ways to be punished during emergencies,” it said in its written submission.

It would give a Director-General of Emergency Management the power to issue compliance orders and duties, then crack down.

“For councils and essential service providers already stretched, penalties could pull money and people away from response and recovery,” ENZ said.

Warnings and guidance would be better, it said.

A broken water pipe in Gisborne following Cyclone Gabrielle. Supplied/Gisborne District Council

‘Without new funding mechanisms’

Hamilton City Council was among those that said they backed the intent of the bill, but threw in a ‘but’.

“As it’s written new statutory duties are being introduced without new funding mechanisms,” said mayor Tim Macindoe.

Tougher still, this coincided with a government move to cap rate rises.

Winder from Christchurch made a similar point, and added the new bill had little to say about reducing the risks and readiness, though these mattered most and cost the least at local level.

“The bill gives little weight to these two areas. It leans heavily towards response and recovery,” said Winder.

“That misses the chance to prevent the very outcomes that drove these reforms.”

Long plans on high shelves would make little difference, he added, and it was people at ground level the legislation had to empower.

Kiri Allan for the National Iwi Chairs Forum Pou Take Ahuarangi said Māori had never been embedded in the legislation before and the bill went a long way to correcting that.

Yet it still did not deliver the essential decisionmaking power, she said.

“Time and time again” disaster inquiry reports had found Māori were crucial in the aftermath – even down to the micro-level of fixing dips in a road that flooded and isolated homes – but were “often not seen”, and though they were included in operational groups they were excluded from decision-making, Allan added.

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

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Foreign crew on retired Interislander ferry earning below minimum wage

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Vega, formerly the Interislander ferry Aratere, at anchor in Tasman Bay in December. Barry Whitnall Photography

The former ferry has been anchored in Tasman Bay for nearly three months while it awaits permission to enter India. Supplied / Barry Whitnall

The former Interislander ferry Aratere has spent five months in New Zealand waters since being retired, with the foreign crew onboard earning below minimum wage, as it waits for permission to enter India.

KiwiRail retired the ferry last year and announced in October it had been sold to a buyer who would deliver it to a specialist recycling shipyard in India.

The ship has since been renamed Vega, the Interislander logos painted over, and flagged to Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Contracts show it is registered to Jahaj Solutions (F.Z.E), which is based in the United Arab Emirates.

Since December, it has been anchored in Tasman Bay and it is still unclear when it will leave New Zealand.

Earlier this month, the Maritime Union of NZ said it had serious concerns about the pay of the foreign crew onboard the Vega, which it said was significantly below international and domestic benchmarks.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the Maritime Labour Convention, an international treaty that New Zealand has signed, included standards for seafarer’s pay.

“How these standards apply to the crew of the Vega is up to the country where the ship is registered. The Vega’s flag state is Saint Kitts and Nevis so the responsibility for the application of these standards sits with them.”

Meager said the government took the safety of seafarers seriously and he had been told by officials who had visited the crew onboard that no welfare concerns had been raised with them.

KiwiRail sold the former ferry to a Dubai based company that is expected to deliver it to a specialist recycling shipyard in India. Barry Whitnall Photography

A Maritime NZ spokesperson said it recently undertook a welfare and safety check of the vessel and found the crew was being adequately provided for and their needs were being met. It was maintaining contact with all parties involved and would continue to monitor the situation.

Immigration New Zealand visa director Peter Elms said the crew of the Vega held visitor visas that permitted them to work on that particular vessel, as it intended to leave New Zealand.

What are the crew being paid?

RNZ understands there are around 20 crew from India on board who had signed new contracts since the union first raised concerns about their pay.

The old contracts viewed by the union showed an able seaman on board the ship was being paid a basic wage of US$206

(NZ$340) per month.

That was significantly below the ILO minimum basic wage for an able seafarer, which rose to US$690 (NZ$1140) per month on 1 January 2026.

New Zealand is a founding member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.

While the organisation provides international standards and guidance on minimum wages, it is up to individual countries to apply these through their own laws.

Maritime Union of New Zealand national secretary Carl Findlay said he had been told the crew had signed new agreements in line with ILO standards, but the union said that was still not good enough.

“Their pay rates are still well below what New Zealanders would be paid to work in the waters on their coast.”

He said the seafarers onboard the Vega were in a tricky situation as they were stranded in New Zealand with no date for departure, which was a real concern.

Reflagging vessels involved changing a ship’s registration to a different country, often to a “flag of convenience” with lax regulations to avoid strict environmental, safety, labour, or sanction laws.

“This is happening all over the world, on a daily basis, it’s a terrible, terrible problem and we don’t want it to creep any further into New Zealand or Australia.”

In 2012, the government announced that all foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters

needed to be flagged to New Zealand, to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns.

Findlay said action needed to be taken to do the same for other foreign-owned vessels and the Maritime Union would be lobbying the government to make changes.

The Vega, pictured at anchor in Tasman Bay in February, has a number of crew onboard from India. Supplied / Barry Whitnall

Why is the Vega still here?

The Vega is due to be dismantled in India, a practice considered sustainable as it allows materials to be recycled, although there are documented concerns over the environmental, health and safety standards in the industry, and the risks to workers in developing countries where health and safety regulations are poor.

In New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Authority is responsible for making sure the country meets its obligations to the Basel Convention – an international treaty which controls the movement of hazardous waste.

A spokesperson for the EPA said the application for the ship’s export was complete but it still had not received an update from the Competent Authority in India about the requested import consent.

Until that had been received and an export permit issued, the vessel could be exported.

RNZ understands there are plans for the Vega to come into Port Nelson towards the end of the month, for re-provisioning and refuelling.

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