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Kiwi cyclist Kiaan Watts banned for throwing punch

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts wins a stage on the Tour of Southland, 2026. © Tour of Southland 2026 / PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts has been banned for 25 days by cycling’s global governing body after he punched a fellow rider in the head during a race last month.

Watts, 24, was caught on camera striking out at a fellow rider during a race in the Netherlands.

Race officials disqualified Watts and he was also suspended by his NSN Development Team.

In a statement, the UCI said Watts acknowledged the “closed fist punch” was in violation of the rules and has accepted his punishment.

Watts will be suspended from 9 April to 2 May, as his one-day team ban for the following Dorpenomloop Rucphen race on 8 March has been credited from the suspension period.

“The UCI issues a reminder that, as holders of UCI licences and members of the cycling community, riders enjoy rights and assume responsibilities aimed at promoting the values of cycling and protecting the integrity of the sport,” the statement added.

Watts is a former stage winner on the Tour of Southland.

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

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Conservationists alarmed by new report into New Zealand’s freshwater

Source: Radio New Zealand

Modelling estimated 44 percent of New Zealand’s total river length was unsuitable for activities like swimming due to faecal contamination. RNZ / Tess Brunton

Conservation advocates say a [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/591849/sobering-reading-waterways-worsening-around-the-country-report-reveals new report confirms the country’s freshwater is at breaking point.

The Ministry for the Environment and StatsNZ’s Our Freshwater 2026 report highlighted the worsening quality of groundwater, rivers and lakes, including increasing levels of nitrates, E.coli levels breaching the legal limit, and nearly half of the country’s river network being unsafe for swimming.

Around half (45 percent) of the 998 groundwater monitoring sites tested had E. coli concentrations above the legal limit for drinking water on at least one occasion between 2019 and 2024, and modelling estimated 44 percent of New Zealand’s total river length was unsuitable for activities like swimming due to faecal contamination.

Among other indicators painting a worrying picture the report said glaciers, which acted as major freshwater reservoirs for rivers and groundwater, were rapidly retreating – decreasing 42 percent between 2005 and 2023. Invasive species were having a direct impact on native ecosystems and even hydroelectric power generation. Wetlands continued to be lost or degraded, despite only 10 percent of historical wetland areas remaining.

Modelling estimated 44 percent of New Zealand’s total river length was unsuitable for activities like swimming due to faecal contamination. Aotearoa Science Agency

Other issues exacerbated by climate change included rising sea levels risking saltwater contamination of coastal groundwater, increased extreme rainfall amplifying run off and erosion, landslides sending more sediment into streams and rivers, and increased droughts predicted for the country’s north, the report said.

Forest and Bird spokesperson Nicky Snoyink said the environment needed action, not another report tracking declining water quality.

“We’ve seen report after report that highlights this stuff – this one sheets home that our freshwater is at breaking point.”

Ministry for the Environment chief departmental science adviser Dr Alison Collins said the report underscored the importance of freshwater and the interconnected nature of ground and surface water.

The report was not intended to provide policy advice, but to supply independent evidence to support decision-making, showing where pressures were building and where progress was occurring, she said.

Over the longer term, nitrogen was one of the biggest pressures, Collins said.

Nitrogen worsened at about 53 percent of lake sites, while nitrogen in groundwater worsened at 39 percent of sites.

Rivers showed a more mixed trend, with nitrogen very likely worsening at 31 percent of monitored river sites and very likely improving at 30 percent between 2005 and 2024, Collins said.

Another concern was ecosystem health, with 54 percent of river length showing moderate or severe organic pollution and 63 percent of our lakes in poor or very poor health.

In the short term, the ministry was concerned about E.coli, cryptosporidium, and other bacteria and pathogens that could cause gastrointestinal illnesses, she said.

123RF

While the report pointed to pressures from land use, it was not just the farming sector that was responsible, Collins said.

“In Canterbury, for example, urbanisation around Rolleston and Prebbleton and Lincoln has meant there’s more impermeable surfaces which increase runoff, and more stormwater and wastewater pressure,” she said.

The report identified critical knowledge gaps, including a lack of data on how much water was being taken from rivers and lakes, when and for what purpose.

The information was available on how much water was consented for, but not how much was actually used.

“It would be helpful if we knew more – it would give us a much better understanding of risks and low flow in the system,” Collins said.

Other areas where information was lacking included on emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, stimulants, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, dubbed forever chemicals for their persistence in the environment and human body) and microplastics.

“Evidence gaps include pathways from land to freshwater, long-term impacts on ecosystems and drinking water, the scale of pesticide residues following heavy rainfall and sowing and interactions with antimicrobial resistance,” the report stated.

University of Waikato associate professor Nicholas Ling said the report had some positive signs, but they were few and far between.

Climate change was taking a toll in longer dry spells and more frequent heavy rainfall, but also in increased bacteria and harmful algae, that reproduced far faster with each degree of increased temperature, he said.

Ling said he wanted to see improved co-ordination between those caring for water.

“There are so many agencies that have jurisdiction in freshwater from the Ministry of the Environment, the EPA [Environmental Protection Authority], regional councils and DOC [Department of Conservation] and Fish and Game – there’s a whole lot of organisations, but there’s no co-ordinated effort.”

It was entirely possible to turn things around, and other countries who had experienced similar declines were making huge gains in their freshwater quality, he said.

“In places like the UK, otters have returned to every county and there’s loads of fish species you can catch in the Thames now.

“They’ve made these striking improvements in freshwater quality, which demonstrates it is possible to reverse the decline, but we’re not seeing that in this country despite our clean green image.”

While not everyone was as concerned as they should be at the rate of indigenous freshwater fish threatened with extinction – 89 percent, among the highest in the world – freshwater quality affected everyone, Ling said.

“It’s our drinking water, it’s our recreational activities. Two-thirds of our lakes are unsafe to recreate in now because their water quality is poor, almost half of our rivers are unsafe to swim in.

“A lot of our drinking water comes from rivers or lakes or groundwater and that’s declining – that’s a real threat to both our economy and to people’s health,” Ling said.

New Zealand had experienced high levels of land use intensification, such as increased use of fertilisers and irrigation, increased stocking rates and soil draining, which had also led to increased fertiliser run off and contaminants leaching into waterways, the report found.

Irrigated land had increased by 99 percent between 2002 and 2022 while land used for dairy farming had almost tripled over the same period.

The number of dairy cattle increased 71 percent from 3.4 million to 5.9 million between 1990 and 2023, peaking at 6.7 million in 2014.

Primary food production accounted for 74 percent of allocated freshwater use. Between 2018 to 2022, the dairy industry used about 2.5 billion cubic metres of surface water a year, around 93 percent for irrigation, the report said.

Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham said she hoped the report served as a wake-up call for the government.

“They cannot continue this slash and burn approach when it comes to environmental protection, because if they do the environmental outcomes – like we’ve seen in this report – are not going to lie.

“Things are just going to get worse, and unfortunately, it will be Kiwis who pick up the cost of that.”

She said the figures on the country’s unsafe rivers, or groundwater that was unsafe to drink were “entirely unacceptable.”

And she warned moves to fold the Ministry for the Environment into a new mega ministry would see even fewer protections for water.

“The Ministry for the Environment has been around for 40 years now and that’s because Kiwis decided the environment was so important that they wanted a dedicated ministry.

“Eroding that and all the removals of freshwater protection the government is doing is simply going to make the situation worse rather than better.”

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

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North Island communities prepare for Cyclone Vaianu

Source: Radio New Zealand

The community civil defence group in the settlement of Coville on the Coromandel Peninsula, testing a generator. Supplied

Some North Island communities are preparing for the full force of Cyclone Vaianu – particularly coastal settlements that have been hit hard by previous storms.

Some say they are better equipped now, with Starlinks, generators, and community networks that have formed and strengthened following successive weather events over recent years.

The cyclone is forecast to reach Northland on Saturday night, and has brought the entire North Island under a strong wind watch for Sunday. Up to 200mm of rain could fall in 18-24 hours in some areas, according to predictions by Earth Sciences.

Gavin Jeffcoat, the chairperson of the Coromandel-Colville Community local board, said his northern Coromandel town of Colville never seems to finish tidying up after the last weather event, before the next one comes along – having had two storms this year already.

He runs a cycling and walking tour business, and has had weekend trips cancelled in anticipation of the cyclone.

Jeffcoat, who helps with the local community civil defence group, said preparation work was underway on Thursday.

“We’ve been out today just making sure that the generator’s working and it’s got fuel, and the satellite Starlink is working and just getting all those little things, and making sure everything’s in place so we’re not getting caught out on Sunday,” he said.

Jeffcoat said he’s heard from a family whose house was threatened by a slip in the last storm, and has been working to arrange a place for the family to go this weekend.

The community civil defence group in the settlement of Coville on the Coromandel Peninsula, getting trained to use a starlink. Supplied

Auckland’s Muriwai is also no stranger to extreme weather, having suffered extensive landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle, including one that claimed the lives of two firefighters.

Local resident Jayne McCall said her community started the Muriwai Emergency Group in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, and has been working closely with Auckland Emergency Management since.

McCall said the majority of Muriwai residents are connected to the group, and there are now street based “neighbourhood nets” which ensures anyone who needs help has support.

The local Surf Life Saving club will be their evacuation base and has been fitted with a generator and a starlink, she said.

Donna Kerridge’s Ōakura home was flooded in the January storm. She’s worried that the community could be cut off with potential damage from Cyclone Vaianu, considering that their main road to Whangarei – Russell Road – remains partly blocked since the January storm.  Donna Kerridge

Donna Kerridge, who lives in Northland’s settlement of Ōakura, said she’s “over being anxious” with the incoming cyclone, after months of dealing with the devastation from January’s storm that saw her house flooded.

Kerridge is still receiving treatment for a toe infection caused by silt in the January event, and her house remains uninhabitable due to ongoing works to clean up mould, replace internal walls and get her bathrooms fixed. She’s been living at a campground.

Kerridge said since the last storm, they’ve formed Whatsapp groups to share information about weather risks, and she also has a shared “next of kin” contact list with a smaller group of neighbours.

“That kind of thing is quite comforting, I know now that if my neighbours were compromised that I can ring their adult children… so that we’re all in the loop,” she said.

Kerridge said the community is hunkering down to do all the usual things to prepare for outages that could be caused by strong winds, such as making sure there’s safe drinking water, food, and that power packs are charged.

Ōakura also has a Starlink now, she added.

“We’re more aware now of where the risks are, we’re also more aware now of where the assets are, where are the pumps in the bay to get water out when we need to urgently,” she said.

Kerridge said she’s most concerned about the community being cut off, considering that their main road to Whangārei – Russell Road – remains partly blocked since the January storm, and a backroad detour via Kaiikanui Road can be risky if there are no pilot vehicles to escort travellers.

“When you lose access in and out, to medical services, to whanau and things like that, that’s what’s had the biggest impact for me personally, is the risk to that access,

“We’ve got a work around, we’re very lucky, but I get concerned if that work around becomes inaccessible, then we really are stuck,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Far North mayor Moko Tepania said their emergency operations centre hasn’t closed since the recent storms, and is ready to respond to Cyclone Vaianu.

Tepania said he’s been hearing from concerned communities on the east coast who were worst hit in the January storm, and are now again in the line of fire, including Taemaro Bay, Rawhiti, Karetu, Ngaiotonga.

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

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Do peptides improve workout performance?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Peptides are widely marketed as a kind of “holy grail” for workout recovery and physical performance.

You may have seen advertisements online claiming these supplements can significantly boost muscle growth, eliminate joint pain, and accelerate recovery times.

As the prevalence of joint-related issues such as osteoarthritis rises, many people are also turning to these “nutraceuticals” in hope of finding a more natural alternative to traditional medications.

Research into peptides for workouts provides a mixed but interesting picture.

Unsplash

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

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NZ film director Michael Seresin’s grandson Finbar Sullivan fatally stabbed in London park

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finbar Sullivan. Supplied / London Metropolitan Police

The 21-year-old grandson of acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Michael Seresin has been stabbed to death in a busy London park.

London Metropolitan Police have named Finbar Sullivan as the victim of a stabbing in Primrose Hill on Tuesday evening, local time.

Detectives said police were called to reports of a fight at the park’s view point at 6.41pm.

“Upon arrival, police and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service found Finbar with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene,” a statement said.

Another man with stab wounds was found on nearby Regent’s Park Road and was taken to hospital. His injuries have since been confirmed as “non-life-threatening and non-life-changing”, police said.

Detective Inspector Andy Griffin, who is leading the investigation, said the incident happened in a busy, public park.

“Finbar’s family have suffered a devastating loss and our thoughts are with them as they navigate this very challenging time,” he said.

“Our investigation is progressing at pace and we are following several lines of inquiry.”

Videos posted to social media showed members of the public picnicking and watching the sunset at the popular view point in north London.

That was disrupted by people running and screaming as the fighting broke out.

Sullivan’s father, musician Chris Sullivan, told local media his son had dreams of following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

“I’m so broken-hearted, I can’t believe it. He was the most beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy. He was just a really lovely person. And why he was targeted, we have no idea,” he told the Daily Mail.

“He’d just bought a new camera, we all chipped in for his 21st birthday, and he took it up there to do a bit of filming.”

Michael Seresin is an award-winning cinematographer whose work included films such as Sleeping Dogs, Midnight Express and Angela’s Ashes. He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2008.

Seresin is also the founder of Marlborough vineyard Seresin Estate, where Finbar’s mother, Leah, works in marketing and promotions.

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

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Netball: ANZ Premiership at tipping point after decade

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tayla Earle in action for Northern Mystics against Southern Steel last season. Photosport

Analysis: Netball New Zealand should be celebrating a milestone 10th season of the sport’s domestic showpiece, but instead officials are working furiously to secure its future.

The country’s elite netballers are about to head into a third season of uncertainty, when the ANZ Premiership begins this weekend.

Reflecting on a decade of the league would only highlight how much it’s gone backwards.

New Zealand’s top-flight netball competition has gone from attracting millions in broadcast rights from Sky to forking out some of its own money to stay on TV.

Last year, Netball NZ struggled to secure a broadcast deal for the competition and it has no plan in place yet beyond this year’s agreement with TVNZ.

Players had to take a 20 percent pay cut for 2026 and the six franchises are waiting to hear what the national body’s plans are for the competition.

Former Silver Fern Michaela Sokolich-Beatson began her elite career in 2016, when she joined Northern Mystics and will captain her side for another season.

A decade ago, she could not have imagined the competition would be at risk.

“When I joined, compared to now, I definitely saw growth,” Sokolich-Beatson said. “From 2016-19, there was massive growth and then, obviously with Covid, lots changed, but I didn’t think it would come to this, where year on year, we are wondering if we’re going to have a competition.

“I also have faith that there are people in places that are doing everything they can to make sure we do have a competition and I know that there’s people working really hard behind the scenes.”

Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic team relationship manager Gary Dawson said the past three years had been difficult for franchises.

“It presents some unique challenges in terms of doing long-term planning or even medium-term planning,” Dawson said. “We’ve had to make sure that we’re doing everything as cost effective as we can across every part of the organisation.

“It’s just the environment that we happen to be in in this semi-professional sports market.”

The real difficulties began at the end of 2023, when Netball NZ started negotiations with Sky for a new broadcast agreement to replace the one that expired at the end of 2024.

Eventually, the national body signed a significantly reduced one-year deal with Sky for 2025, which would be its last season as the sport’s major broadcast partner after 18 years.

It remains to be seen whether Sky Sport will hold onto rights for Silver Ferns tests or if TVNZ will vie for those as well. Neither broadcaster would comment on whether it was engaged in any discussions with Netball NZ for tests or the domestic competition from next year.

Australian league no silver bullet

Over the past few years, there has been a growing call in New Zealand to get teams into Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition.

The former trans-Tasman league ended in 2016, when Netball Australia was confident it could secure its own broadcast deal to underpin its competition.

The two countries went their separate ways and fans have seen the SSN, with its unlimited import policy, become the strongest league in the world.

The salary level between the two leagues used to be similar, but the SSN now offers at least double what NZ-based players earn.

The former trans-Tasman competition, which ended in 2016, was made up of five New Zealand and five Australian teams. Photosport

Last year, Australia’s governing body confirmed it was considering adding two new teams to the SSN from 2027 and was open to expressions of interest from New Zealand.

RNZ understands that’s not part of Netball NZ’s plans at the moment, with its focus on strengthening the ANZ Premiership.

The appetite in Australia for a New Zealand franchise is low, with calls for expansion focussed on giving local players more opportunities.

If Netball NZ went down the path of pursuing a licence, the best it could hope for might be one franchise, running the risk that the country’s top talent would be condensed into one team.

Pursuing an SSN licence would take a lot of resource and Netball NZ would rely on variables outside its control.

Netball Australia is also trying to negotiate their own broadcast deal from 2027, as its current one runs until the end of 2026. The national body is reportedly also eyeing at least a partial return to free-to-air.

The current Collective Player Agreement (CPA) for SSN players will expire at the end of the 2026 season and collective bargaining can’t start until a new broadcast deal is in place.

New model needed?

The Tactix won a maiden ANZ Premiership title in 2025. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Dawson said Netball NZ had been working with the franchises and other key stakeholders over the future of the domestic competition.

“They now need to work through all the different options, and the board and Netball NZ senior management then need to make a decision as to what that will look like, but they have been communicating with us in terms of the work that’s going on.”

No doubt the biggest challenge and priority for interim Netball NZ chief executive Jane Patterson since starting in January has been figuring out how the domestic league can be funded.

Patterson is expected to share some news about the future of the competition later this month.

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic is one of three franchises under the administration of Netball New Zealand, along with the Stars and Mainland Tactix.

With half the six franchises unable to stand on their own financially, the national body must wonder if it can go down a more sustainable route.

The current ownership model sees the Netball New Zealand zones own and operate their respective ANZ Premiership franchise teams, but private ownership would take the pressure off the netball eco-system.

In 2022, the professional women’s basketball league – Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa – was established and, while the league itself is owned by Basketball New Zealand, the five franchises are privately owned.

Last year, New Zealand’s most successful Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington, joined the ownership group of the Auckland-based Kāhu – the first all-women-owned sports team in New Zealand.

Netball NZ interim CEO Jane Patterson. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

At one point, as many as half a dozen England internationals played in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, but more and more have returned home, with England Netball ramping up efforts to improve their domestic product.

Last year, a revamped Netball Super League (NSL) launched in the UK, after undergoing a major transformation to attract private investment and take a big step towards making the top-flight competition fully professional.

For example, English Premier League football club Nottingham Forest invested in and launched a team to compete in the Netball Super League (NSL) 2.0.

This year, just three England Roses internationals are playing in Australia.

Last year, Sport New Zealand helped cover the cost of broadcasting one game each round on TVNZ, which Netball NZ self-produced, but the government agency says it won’t fund any production costs this year.

Moving the domestic competition to free-to-air will hopefully lead to better sponsorship opportunities, with more people able to watch the league this year.

The team structure may also come under review.

The Magic and Tactix both come under the administration of Netball NZ. © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz

Netball NZ may consider whether it can afford to also support the National Netball league (NNL), which serves as a feeder league into the ANZ.

The competition has been watered down since it was introduced in 2016, with teams now playing just one round robin.

The Netball South Zone initially decided to not field a team in the 2026 NNL season, given the costs of supporting a team, but backtracked.

Could the very best of those 60 players be folded into the top domestic league by increasing squad sizes or adding another team?

Meanwhile, Sokolich-Beatson said she felt for the younger players.

“If anything was to happen, I’ve had real quality time playing at this level,” she said. “My biggest thing is those young ones who haven’t been able to showcase their full skills yet and, honestly, we have some incredible talent coming through.

“I want them to get the opportunity that I’ve been fortunate enough to have.”

Sokolich-Beatson said she was proud of the commitment players had shown, despite pay cuts.

“I just think, ‘Good on you’, because it could be easy to walk away, and just try and get a full-time job, but you can see that they’re here because they love it and they want to keep playing for as long as they can.

“You wouldn’t know by the way that we’re training and the things that our management have done that people have taken pay cuts, because everybody’s still working just as hard.”

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

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Whanganui residents nostalgic over demolition of much-loved landmark

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whanganui Neville Gorrie was the castle’s most recent owner. RNZ/Robin Martin

Whanganui residents are preparing to farewell a much-loved local landmark before its demolition – Liffiton Castle .

The former villa-turned-mock-castle is a familiar site to travellers on the State Highway 3 link to Wellington – and has, for decades, been home to a series of restaurants.

Whanganui identity Neville Gorrie – famed for driving a London double-decker bus around town – was the castle’s most recent owner.

He offered RNZ a potted history.

“It was an old house built in about 1905 and they converted it into a mock castle,” he said. “They used the villa bit at the back and then they built a new bit on the front.

“It opened as an upmarket restaurant and then, later on, it was turned into a smorgasbord restaurant.”

In more recent times, it has housed an Indian restaurant – the Castle Bar and Eatery – but was most fondly remembered as the buffet-style Liffiton Castle Restaurant through the 80s and 90s.

“A lot of people say to me, ‘When I was a child, I went there and it was great’, and that sort of thing, but they hadn’t been here for a long time. They are sort of nostalgic about it being pulled down, but they weren’t going there as a restaurant, so it does have very fond memories for Whanganui of the past.”

Gorrie tried to describe the building.

“There’s the moat in the front and the stocks at the side, and the turrets on it, with the little holes at the side, where you could fire arrows or guns at your enemies.”

The exterior wasn’t its only notable feature.

Geoff Austin – who owned the Castle from 1984-2018 – fitted it out with historic memorabilia.

“Inside, it did have that English, perhaps if you like, regal look in places,” Gorrie said. “The windows in the front originally came out of St Mary’s Church here in Whanganui and there were some lights that came from the Royal Oak in Wellington.

“Considering it was a mock castle, they had spent a lot of money here originally and had done quite a good job of it, and people either seemed to love it or hate it. I was probably in the middle of the road there.”

Luke, who passed by during RNZ’s visit, was a fan.

“It’s a bit of a shame it’s coming down,” he said. “I remember going there when I was younger.

“It’s just the whole exclusivity of it just being here like a castle in Whanganui.

“It was kind of cool to see, especially when you were coming in from the highway.”

Luke thought it would be missed.

“Definitely, not by the younger guys, but definitely by the older people.”

On Victoria Ave, Linda had fond memories of the castle too.

“It’s quite sad really, because we took our children there for dinners as well, and it’s a bit of a Whanganui icon really. Yeah, quite sad.

“It was awesome. It was great, very unique.

“That’s the word, unique, but great food too.”

Paula was in two minds about it going.

“I remember going there over the years and the big statue, whatever it was, and all the artefacts in there. They were pretty amazing, but you know, change happens in life and you’ve just got to get used to changes, I guess.”

Jim appreciated the beer prices.

“You had good meals there, good basic meals, you know,” he said. “The beer wasn’t too bad in price, yeah, it was good.

“It was like medieval surroundings, but with a modern twist to it. It was pretty nice, it’s a shame to see it go.”

Howard was happy to see the castle demolished.

“I might’ve eaten there once a long time ago, but I don’t have many memories of it at all.

“It’s kind of an ugly building really, so yeah, I don’t mind.”

Turners Car Auctions has bought the castle and two adjoining properties, and plans to invest $4.5 million on the site, before opening for business in April 2027.

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

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How to save – or make – money during a fuel crisis

Source: Radio New Zealand

Set yourself a limit on how much money you spend on discretionary items. 123RF

Households around the country are under increasing financial pressure, as the cost of fuel rises – so what can you do if you’re feeling the pinch?

RNZ asked experts for their tips.

Cut spending

Enrich Retirement founder Liz Koh said people should look at their bank statements for the past three months.

“Categorise your spending into three groups – fixed expenses you have little or no control over, like rent, mortgage or insurance, discretionary expenses you have full control over and which are not essential, like lunches, coffees and entertainment, and the remaining group, essential expenses that you have some control over, like food and petrol.

“The easiest expenses to cut back on are the discretionary expenses. Set yourself a limit on how much money you spend on these items by either setting up a separate bank account to cover them or paying for them in cash.”

She said most people would find food was their biggest expense, after their rent or mortgage payments.

What are your money saving tips? Email susan.edmunds@rnz.co.nz

“Take a hard look at what you are spending. Set a limit on food expenses and cut back on the number of times you go to the supermarket.

“Depending on how big your family is, you may be able to save $100 a week or more on grocery items by planning your meals, buying cheaper brands and cutting out some items altogether.”

Move your mortgage

If you have a mortgage, you may be able to save a few thousand dollars by shifting to another bank or threatening to.

Banks have competed with cashback offers for some time and new customers are often offered up to about 1 percent of their loan amount as a cashback incentive.

Even if you don’t move banks, sometimes it is possible to ask your current bank to match a competitor’s offer with a “retention” payment of its own.

The payments usually come with rules around how long a customer must remain with the bank.

Review subscriptions

You might have subscriptions you aren’t using or that you haven’t reviewed in a while.

Koh said people should regularly review their payments for things like streaming services, websites and other memberships, and see whether they still needed them.

Some banks offer tools to help with this.

Think about how you drive

Kernel founder Dean Anderson said the cost of petrol and diesel would be the main concern for most households now.

“Most of us are still driving internal combustion cars and how we drive has a real impact on fuel use. With prices seeming to climb every other day, those habits matter.”

Things like driving slower and accelerating more gently can cut fuel use.

“Public transport is an easy win, if it’s a viable option for your commute. There’s also a Kiwi tech company, Extraordinary, that employers can set up to let staff pay for public transport from gross rather than net income.

“For an average commuter, that could mean savings of $700-plus a year, without changing your routine. Easy savings into your back pocket.”

Have an emergency fund

It might be hard to do at the moment, but building up a savings account to fall back on can save money in the long run.

When you have that buffer, you’re less likely to need expensive short-term debt to cover emergencies.

Consistency more important than timing

Pie Funds chief executive Ana-Marie Lockyer said people should set up regular saving and investment habits, not get stuck trying to time the markets.

“Keeping up regular contributions to things like KiwiSaver, even when markets feel a bit uncertain, is one of the most effective ways to build wealth over the long term.

“If people have the option, looking at ways to boost income – whether that’s through looking at growth opportunities in your existing job or a new one, picking up extra work or building new skills – can often have a bigger impact than cutting costs alone.

“Overall, it’s less about doing anything drastic, and more about staying steady and making small, sensible improvements where you can.”

Take advantage of the government KiwiSaver contribution

It’s not as much as it used to be, but it’s still worth getting the full government contribution.

Put $1042 into your KiwiSaver account before 30 June each year to have about $260 added.

Shop around

You may be able to save money or pick up additional incentives by shopping around for a better deal on your power, phone or broadband.

For example, Powershop offers a $150 power credit to new customers, Pulse Energy offers $160, Mercury has $300 for those who sign up for electricity, or a free Samsung product for people taking electricity and broadband contracts for a two-year term.

Powerswitch has previously said people can often save hundreds by moving to another supplier with a better price.

“Power, broadband and mobile plans are often very similar across providers,” Anderson said. “If you’re not locked into a contract, it’s worth reviewing your options.

“Switching can come with upfront credits, free months or discounted rates – small wins that add up over the year.”

Sell things

Earlier this year, Trade Me said that 75 percent of people had unused or unwanted items in their homes that they could sell.

It said, on average, each person had 19 things they could sell, which would have an estimated value of $1300.

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Super Rugby: Moana Pasifika ‘in a spot no-one wants to be’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana Pasifika have had a forgettable start to their 22026 Super Rugby campaign. Photosport

It’s been a rough run for Moana Pasifika.

After an historic 2025, things have undoubtedly gone backwards at the franchise.

Last year’s campaign was carried by the unworldly form of Ardie Savea, as he took the team to its greatest heights to date.

But the fall has been brutal.

Sitting bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, on a six game losing streak, the party in Albany appears to be over.

To drive that point home, in what some might have seen as an intervention by the rugby gods, the lights were cut on the team during their last outing.

Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said there had been a lot of reflection in the past fortnight.

“We had to take stock of where we’re at, learn from that, acknowledge it, and look at now what can we control? I don’t know if the goalposts have shifted. Obviously it’s just made it harder for us to achieve the goals we want and we’re in a spot that no one wants to be, but we’ve just got to work our way out of it. In all areas we can do better. We’ve got to move forward and we’ve got an opportunity to start this next block well.”

Despite their position, Umaga insists morale is still strong in the squad.

“We’re grateful, we practise gratitude every day. You look at what we get to do for a job with what’s happening in the world, some of these guys would never have had this opportunity if we weren’t around.”

Little has gone right for Moana this year, the power cut during their clash in Albany with the Highlanders an eerie omen.

Umaga expressed frustration at what seems like a cruel trick being played on the franchise.

“It’s one of those things you can’t control. It’s like we’re always parts of firsts here, this was [the] first time that something like that’s happened, and then everyone has to look at the rule book and what the process is, to continue or not continue. I’ve never seen it before, but now we have, and now there’s some protocols around it and a process. But yeah, frustrating because we were just probably getting our momentum in that period. And with such a long break, it stalled both sides, but there’s not much else you can do.”

Things don’t get much easier for Moana this weekend, who head to Rotorua to play the Chiefs – a side they have never beaten.

Darkening the clouds over the club is their continued fight to play games in Auckland.

“It’s a home game that’s in their home, so we’ve been through that before. Yet, we know there’s a community down there.”

One bright spot will be the long awaited debut of veteran lock Jimmy Tupou.

“It’s been a long time coming for him, being injured coming into the season, but he’s worked hard. He’s worked very, very hard to get to this point. He’s a player that has huge respect and experience, and that’s something that we need.”

As for the future of Moana, one thing that is known is that they will need a new head coach with Umaga departing for the All Blacks at the end of the season.

“We’re just going through that process at the moment because we have to think about that. We’ve got some very good coaches here and working with CEOs and chairmans around what does that look like? We want to make sure that Moana’s here for a long time.”

But Umaga says he’s fearful of that future.

“You always worry. It’s a tough business to be in and it’s never been a smooth sailing for us. Your concern goes from yourself to the players, to the staff that put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears around this. We know how much of a benefit it is to our young people and to the nations that we also represent.”

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Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes, Blues in top-of-table battle

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Blues head to Wellington this weekend to meet the high-flying Hurricanes. Photosport

Normality resumes.

After a shortened Easter round, we return to five weekend games, as we head into the second half of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Round nine sees the two top teams go to battle in Wellington, as the Hurricanes host the Blues in a serious test of title credentials.

Moana Pasifika have endured a miserable run lately and getting out of that hole won’t get easier, as they head down the highway to face the Chiefs in Rotorua. They have never beaten the Chiefs in eight attempts and aren’t likely to break that hoodoo.

The Highlanders kick the weekend off, when they meet ACT Brumbies, who have stumbled in recent weeks, but still sit in fourth spot.

Meanwhile, the champion Crusaders are in Brisbane to play the Reds, without their biggest strike weapon.

Selection notes

Regular Chiefs skipper Luke Jacobson is on the bench, with Tupou Vaa’i captaining the side and Reon Paul – nephew of former All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara – poised to make his debut from the bench.

Johnny McNicholl will play his first match of the year, starting at fullback for the Crusaders, while David Havili returns to lead the side from the midfield.

Veteran lock Jimmy Tupou will make his Moana Pasifika debut.

Johnny McNicholl will make his first appearance of the season for the Crusaders. Steven Markham/ActionPress

Saula Ma’u will make his first Highlanders appearance since early in the 2025 NPC, as will Taine Robinson at fullback.

Finlay Christie is back in the No.9 jersey for the Blues.

Injury ward

Will Jordan sits out the week for the Crusaders with a tight calf, as will Codie Taylor, who has hurt is hamstring.

Tyrel Lomax’s ankle could keep him out of action for up to seven weeks at the Hurricanes, while Bailyn Sullivan will miss at least a month of action.

The Chiefs are still low on midfield stocks, with both Daniel Rona and Lalakai Foketi still out injured.

Wallace Sititi may be back next week, while no return date has been set for either Etene Nanai-Seturo or Emoni Narawa.

All Black quartet Dalton Papali’i, Stephen Perofeta, Hoskins Sotutu and Patrick Tuipulotu are all sidelined for the Blues.

The Highlanders will be without Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens for at least the next four rounds, with Tomás Lavanini expected back in a fortnight.

Moana Pasifika lock Allan Craig is still recovering from a head knock, while halfback Joel Lam has a quad contusion.

Key stats

The Chiefs have a perfect 8-0 record against Moana Pasifika.

Brumbies No.8 Charlie Cale is on a six-game tryscoring streak.

Highlanders flanker TK Howden leads the competition’s tackle count with 107.

The Blues have won three of their last four at the ‘Cake Tin’.

Fehi Fineanganofo scores another try for the Hurricanes. Elias Rodriguez/Photosport

Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo has scored consecutive hattricks, the first player to do so since Cheslin Kolbe in 2017.

The Crusaders have won 14 of their last 15 against the Reds.

Highlanders v Brumbies

Kickoff 7.05pm, Friday, 10 April

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.

Live blog updates on RNZ

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (C), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Oliver Haig, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Nic Shearer, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, (C), 13. Jonah Lowe, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Taine Robinson

Bench: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Hugh Renton, 20. Sean Withy, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Taniela Tele’a

“The Brumbies are a class outfit and will test us across the field. These middle‑round games are important for every team, and we’re looking forward to the contest.” –

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

Moana Pasifika v Chiefs

Kickoff 2.05pm, Saturday, 11 April

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua.

Live blog updates on RNZ

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Paula Latu, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Niko Jones, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 13. Tevita Latu, 14. Solomon Alaimalo, 15. William Havili

Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Jimmy Tupou (debut), 20. Semisi Paea, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Tyler Pulini

“We really we had to take stock of where we’re at, learn from that, acknowledge it and look at now what can we control. I don’t know if the goalposts have shifted. Obviously, it’s just made it harder for us to achieve the goals we want and we’re in a spot that no-one wants to be.”

Moana Pasifika coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga

Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Tyrone Thompson, 3. Reuben O’Neill, 4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa’i (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13. Kyle Brown, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Sione Ahio, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Luke Jacobson (vc), 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Reon Paul (debut)

“It’s more about who we are able to pick than those that are being left out. The challenge is configuring a 23 that reflects the depth we have and yet remains extremely competitive.”

Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbes.

Hurricanes v Blues

Kickoff 7.05pm, Saturday, 11 April

Hnry Stadium, Wellington.

Live blog updates on RNZ

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

Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Siale Lauaki, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Brayden Iose, 22. Ereatara Enari, 23. Jone Rova

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw. Masanori Udagawa / PHOTOSPORT

“We’re refreshed and re-energised from the bye. It’s a good challenge at this time of the year to get into another Kiwi derby.”

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Josh Beehre, 5. Sam Darry (c), 6. Che Clark, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Malachi Wrampling, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Codemeru Vai, 15. Zarn Sullivan.

Bench: 16. James Mullan, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Tristyn Cook, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Pita Ahki, 23. Payton Spencer

“It’s a top-of-the-table clash for that No.1 spot and that’s exactly the sort of challenge we want at this stage of the season.”

Blues coach Vern Cotter

Reds v Crusaders

Kickoff 9.35pm, Saturday, 11 April

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Live blog updates on RNZ

Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. George Bell, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Dom Gardiner, 7. Corey Kellow, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Johnny McNicholl

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. Finlay Brewis, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Johnny Lee, 21. Louie Chapman, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Dallas McLeod

“These next couple of weeks are massively important. We’ve got a really good plan. We’ve just got to get some results and keep building.”

Crusaders coach Rob Penney

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