NZ Engine

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s shaping as a chilly end to summer for the South Island as a cold snap brings low temperatures over the weekend.

A stunning day is forecast on Wednesday for most of the North Island and the top of the South Island with temperatures reaching the mid to late 20s, NIWA says, but the bubble is set to burst after that.

NIWA weather is forecasting that a front will deliver “some of the coldest air of the year so far to the South Island”.

️A sharp front is set to bring some of the coldest air of the year so far to the South Island, while a tropical low lurks north of NZ heading into the weekend.
Full video is up now on the NIWA site + app. Worth a watch. Cheers! -Chester pic.twitter.com/Er4y4E2FnL

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 24, 2026

MetService has forecast a high of just 15 degrees for Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill on Friday, and temperatures won’t get much warmer over the weekend.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told Morning Report from Wednesday night a cold front will deliver chillier temperatures for Southland, Otago, Canterbury and up to parts of Marlborough.

The second cold front, due towards the end of the weekend, would continue the trend of cooler weather, especially along the south and east coasts of both islands.

“The South Island gets it from Friday and through the weekend but it does reach the North Island into Monday.”

NIWA meteorologist Chester Lampkin said a west south-west change will lead to showers and even thunderstorms across parts of the South Island on Thursday.

By Friday temperatures will be 3C to 5C below what is considered average in the South Island, he said.

Makgabutlane said it was also the middle of the tropical cyclone season at present.

Meteorologists would be keeping a close eye on a possible low pressure system forming near Vanuatu.

“It all depends on how it develops and also where it ends up moving … at this early stage it looks like it should be staying away from us but I think it is one to keep an eye on.”

Modelling would be updated daily with the latest atmospheric conditions and how it was tracking, she said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

After months of negotiating and strike action, Health New Zealand and the union for allied health workers have reached a deal.

The Public Service Association (PSA) said its more than 12,000 members – including physiotherapists, anaesthetic technicians, and social workers – voted overwhelmingly to accept the union-backed offer. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/582490/health-workers-should-accept-proposed-collective-agreement-union

The new collective agreement included a pay increase of 2.5 percent from December 2025 and a further 2 percent from December this year, in addition to a $500 lump sum payment.

The union said there was also a commitment to a new pay scale for sterile sciences technicians (who work with medical devices in operating theatres and wards), to improve safe staffing and set up a $400,000 national professional development fund.

PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said while the union didn’t get everything it asked for, it accepted it was the the best offer it could get for now.

She put the result down to industrial action.

“These workers went on strike during the Mega Strike on 23 October 2025 as well as a further strike late last year and their actions have made a difference.

“This outcome after seven months of bargaining shows what workers can achieve when they stand together.”

Fitzsimons said allied health workers delivered essential care to New Zealanders every day and the settlement was recognition of their contribution.

She said voting was now underway for two other collectives that covered more than 4000 members including mental health and public health nurses.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A 34-year-old man has been arrested after a shooting in Manurewa, Auckland.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said officers were called to a property on Marumaru Lane at about 8.45pm on 18 February.

“The offender has gone to the door and asked for the victim, before allegedly shooting him when he came to the door,” Detective Inspector Vickers said.

“The victim was taken to hospital in a serious condition, and was very fortunate to have not suffered life-threatening injuries.”

Armed police carried out search warrants in Takanini and Manurewa in south Auckland at 3pm on Tuesday.

“The alleged offender was not located at either address, but as a result, he handed himself into Papakura Police Station not long afterwards and was taken into custody,” Vickers said.

Two arrests have now been made over the offending.

A 29-year-old woman, who is co-accused, will appear in court on Wednesday after initially being arrested last week.

The man will also appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday, jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and commission of an offence with a firearm.

Vickers said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation continues.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wellington’s Mount Victoria tunnel is closed following a crash earlier this morning.

The tunnel is on a main route from Wellington city to the airport.

The transport agency says the tunnel is shut in both directions with police and contractors on site.

Motorists were advised to use an alternative route.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

An Auckland City councillor says a lack of parking in developments is leading to anxiety and disputes.

Directives for developers to provide a minimum amount of spaces were outlawed in most major cities in 2020.

But the government is looking at repealing the change and bringing back minimums for spaces.

Franklin Ward councillor Andy Baker told Morning Report something needs to change

“You’re seeing developments occurring in areas where there’s not sufficient public transport. People need vehicles, and there’s no ability for them to park, and so you’re getting people parking on footpaths, you’re getting people parking in empty sections in developments, on neighbouring properties,” he said.

“It’s causing anxiety, it’s causing disputes, it’s a failed experiment that needs to change.”

Baker said the issue would be well debated around the council table.

“I think there’s enough support for it around, if it makes sense and it’s defendable. I think there’d be support for it because I just don’t think this has worked out.”

The reality was some people still needed vehicles, he said.

“We’ve got to try and find a balance, and I don’t think there’s balance in what we’ve got at the moment.”

Baker said there was a way to find that balance.

“It’s been proven over the years that you can have affordable properties with car parking.”

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