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Police looking for footage after after fatal two-vehicle crash in Rotorua’s Tikitere

Source: Radio New Zealand

The fatal two-vehicle crash happened early on Thursday morning. NZ Police / Supplied

Police are appealing for information after a fatal crash in Rotorua’s Tikitere.

The two-vehicle crash happened around 4.20am on Thursday on State Highway 30.

Two people were found dead at the scene and another person had moderate injuries.

Police would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between the areas of Fenton Street, Rotorua and Curtis Road.

Officers say they are looking for footage of a Green Honda Spike, or any information on the vehicle’s movements during the early hours of Thursday morning.

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Update: Fatal crash, SH30, Tikitere

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating the circumstances of the fatal crash in Tikitere last week are appealing to the public for information.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 4.20am, Thursday 15 January, on State Highway 30. Two people were sadly found deceased at the scene and another with moderate injuries.

Police would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage between the areas of Fenton Street, Rotorua and Curtis Road/SH30, Tikitere, between 2am and 4.20am on Thursday 15 January.

In particular, we are looking for footage of a Green Honda Spike, similar to the one pictured, with the registration HBS903, or any information on the vehicle’s movements during the same time.

Information can be provided by heading online to 105.police.govt.nz and clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105.

Please use reference number: 260115/4480.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Cricket v Rugby: What you need to know about Black Clash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Leon MacDonald is bowled with the last ball, as Team Cricket secure victory in 2025. Blake Armstrong/Photosport

Black Clash T20 – Cricket v Rugby

6.30pm, Saturday, 17 January

Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui

Live blog updates on RNZ

History

Billed as “New Zealand’s most electrifying sporting crossover”, Black Clash was created by Duco Events in 2019, adding to a stable that included Joseph Parker’s heavyweight boxing career and the Fight for Life charity event.

Traditionally, it pits some of rugby’s biggest names against former cricketing stars, with a mix of other personalities, for a night of sporting entertainment, some surprising skills and orchestrated finishes.

Over the seven previous matches, Team Cricket have won five – as you would expect – although Team Rugby actually prevailed in the inaugural match-up. That roster, coached by Sir Graham Henry, featured then-All Blacks skipper Kieran Read, predecessor Richie McCaw, and Beauden and Jordie Barrett, along with former Aussie cricket international David Hussey.

The cricket contingent that night included former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming, World Cup hero Grant Elliott, batting star Nathan Astle, Black Ferns rugby star Kendra Cocksedge and former White Fern Liz Perry.

Only five players have contested all seven fixtures and return for this year – Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum among the cricketers, and Kaylum Boshier and Ofisa Tonu’u among the rugbyheads.

Last year’s encounter ended in a last-ball, five-run win to Team Cricket, with former All Black and Blues coach Leon MacDonald needing a six off the last ball for victory, but losing his stumps to former Black Caps spinner Todd Astle.

Team Cricket captain Nathan McCullum celebrates victory in the 2025 Black Clash. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Played under T20 rules, Black Clash is more like rugby sevens or darts than an international whiteball match. Patrons are encouraged to dress up in outlandish costumes, with the Alternative Commentary Team whipping the crowd into a collective frenzy.

Attending the match

The event generally switches between Christchurch, where it was staged last year, and Mt Maunganui, although the 2020 match took place at Napier.

Generally, there are more rules for spectators than players, as organisers try to keep their riotous spectacle family friendly.

Identification will be needed for access to hospitality zones. Costumes are encouraged, but no gang patches and no hi-vis clothing.

Costumes must conform to standards of decency, so maybe leave the ‘onesies’ at home.

With limited parking available in surrounding streets, organisers recommend carpooling or uber for transport to the ground.

Team Rugby celebrate a wicket in 2025 Black Clash. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

There’s a long list of items you CAN’T bring into the ground, but most fall under the category of commonsense – alcohol, pets (apart from assistance animals), dangerous weapons, large or offensive banners, fireworks, drugs etc.

Smoking or vaping is not allowed, and drunks will be turned away at the gate.

Teams

Team Rugby: Kieran Read (captain), Jordie Barrett, Kaylum Boshier, Andy Ellis, David Hill, Michael Hussey, Ngani Laumape, Colin Slade, Tim Southee, Jason Spice, Ofisa Tonu’u, Joey Wheeler

Team Cricket: Nathan McCullum (captain), Neil Broome, Grant Elliott, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Hadleigh Parkes, Adam Parore, Jesse Ryder, Lou Vincent, Neil Wagner, William Waiirua

Players to watch

Jordie Barrett: Perhaps the most highly decorated of the non-cricket players on display – he actually played Hawke Cup for Taranaki, while still at college – but he’s missed the last couple of Black Clash events.

All Black Jordie Barrett is also a pretty fair cricketer, as he shows annually in the Black Clash. Photosport

Barrett has featured in many of the close finishes, guiding Team Rugby to an upset win in the inaugural 2019 match, scoring an unbeaten 42 with the bat, taking two wickets with the ball and effecting a spectacular run out with a direct hit from the boundary.

Michael Hussey: Known simply as ‘Mr Cricket’, due to his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sport, Hussey was a respected member of the successful Australian side from 2004-13, playing 79 tests, 185 one-dayers and 38 T20s. He averaged 51.52 runs across his test tenure, scoring 19 centuries.

At 50, Hussey’s been called up as a ‘wildcard’ to bolster the rugby line-up, along with Blackcaps legend Tim Southee.

Jesse Ryder: Simply one of the most talented cricketers to strap on pads for New Zealand, Ryder never quite fulfilled his immense potential, due to a series of injuries and off-field misadventures.

Known as a powerful hitter of the ball, he scored a one-day 107 off 46 balls and compiled a test double-century, so his contributions could be spectacular.

Sometimes the best seats in the house are not dry ones. Chris Symes/Photosport

What will happen

Absolutely anything can happen, but after a tumultuous week, rugby could sure use something to celebrate.

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Late lapses costly as Auckland FC go down to Melbourne City

Source: Radio New Zealand

Logan Rogerson of Auckland FC (left) reacts after missing a shot on goal during the A-League Round 13 match against Melbourne City, in Melbourne on Friday. photosport

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica has bemoaned a lack of killer-instinct, following the A-League leaders’ 2-1 loss to Melbourne City.

Friday night’s defeat in Melbourne was Auckland’s third of the season – the same number of losses they suffered last season across their entire maiden campaign when they comfortably finished top on the ladder.

They remain top of this season’s standings, but Sydney FC are just two points back with two games in hand. Sydney will go to the top if they are victorious at home to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

Corica said his side should have done better after taking the lead into the break courtesy of a fine goal from in-form forward Lachlan Brook – the Australian’s sixth of the campaign.

“We had a couple of counter-attacks in the second half but we weren’t ruthless enough,” Corica said.

“You know, we go up 1-nil, we need to finish teams off by getting the second goal and we didn’t do that.”

Players celebrate a goal from Melbourne City’s Medin Memeti. photosport

The visitors had the better of a tense first half, but Melbourne City created the better chances after break, rewarded by two late goals.

The first was a contentious penalty, questioned by Corica, after a City shot struck the hand of defender Francis de Vries.

Corica was forced into an early change when captain Hiroki Sakai went down when challenging for a header.

The coach later revealed it was a hamstring problem, after the former Japanese international had returned from a lengthy stint on the sideline recovering from a similar issue.

The change meant de Vries picked up the captain’s armband, after earlier in the day it was announced that the All Whites wing back had signed an extension to stay at the club until the end of 28/29 season.

Auckland FC are at home to face the Central Coast Mariners next Saturday, 24 January.

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Local pilots to the rescue after dozens left stranded in Waioeka Gorge

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 40 people were evacuated after flooding and slips shut State Highway 2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki on Friday. Police/Supplied

A local helicopter pilot helped bring stranded people to safety last night, after they were trapped in the Waioeka Gorge.

A police-led rescue was launched on a stretch of State Highway 2, between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki on Friday night, after dozens of people were stranded by huge slips caused by heavy rain.

Bay of Plenty Helicopters pilot Luke said he had made two rescues of four people, before being asked by police to begin taking people to Maunganuku carpark.

Luke said many people were confused.

” A lot of them just had a slip in front of them, they didn’t know there were multiple slips, so they were asking ‘are we going to be stuck here for the day, will it be cleared tomorrow, and what is going to happen to my car?'”

Luke said the people could have been taken to safety a lot sooner, if it was up to the local pilots.

“We could have got everyone out quite quickly and easily given we had most of the afternoon to do it, but things were sort of pushed out to the afternoon.

“It’s a very dangerous environment in there, there’s a single strand wire that criss-crosses all the way up so a lot of us operators we fly that a lot so we know the area.” he said.

It is believed Motu Helicopters were also involved in the rescue operations.

Police said more than 40 people were evacuated.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said by midnight, helicopters had brought out everyone stuck between the slips.

“It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff.

“It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for.”

Inspector Cooney said helicopters took the evacuated motorists to a local campsite, where an NZDF NH90 helicopter ferried them to evacuation centres at Matawai and Ōpōtiki.

“The recovery of the vehicles will take some time given the significant damage and number of slips through the gorge, but the main thing is nobody was hurt.”

Another eight people in two private addresses will be evacuated on Saturday morning.

Police said it will take some time to recover the vehicles given the significant amount of damage.

The Transport Agency said the stretch of road will be closed all weekend.

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I’m 65 and working, what happens to tax on my pension?- Ask Susan

Source: Radio New Zealand

What happens to tax on your pension if you’re 65 and working? 123RF

Got questions? RNZ has a new podcast, No Stupid Questions, with Susan Edmunds.

We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but – even better – you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz

I’ll be 65 this February. I have had a notification from IRD that I need to apply for New Zealand Superannuation. As I am continuing to work (at least for the next five years) as I have a mortgage to pay I’m wondering what this means for my tax rate? Should I claim it or wait until I’ve retired?

You can claim NZ Super, you don’t need to wait.

There is no income test or asset test on the pension, so anyone can claim it, no matter what they’re earning.

If you have a job, you might find that NZ Super needs to be taxed with a secondary tax rate – this doesn’t mean you pay more tax overall, it just reflects that the pension is coming in on top of your existing income and may be pushed into a higher tax bracket because of that. If you end up paying too much tax, you’ll get it back at the end of the tax year.

You won’t be worse off for having claimed NZ Super because New Zealand’s tax system means you only pay the higher rates of tax on the higher amounts earned – if your pension means your total annual income is now over $53,501 a year, for example, it’s only the bit over that threshold that is charged at 30 percent. The rest remains taxed as it was previously.

I am looking at retiring back in NZ at the end of the year so as to access the NZ superannuation as I turn 65 later this year. My question: If I sell my home in Australia will I be taxed in New Zealand on the sale? I have lived here for five years.

I asked Robyn Walker, a tax partner at Deloitte. She said you’ll need to determine whether you are a New Zealand tax resident.

People are counted as a tax resident when they have been in New Zealand more than 183 days in any 12-month period or have a permanent place to live here.

If you are, then you could be subject to the bright-line test to tax the capital gains you make on the sale of overseas property, but only if you’ve bought and sold your home within two years.

There might be taxes you’ll need to be prepared for in Australia, too.

I would like to know the rules for gifting money and the tax implications associated with it. Could you please answer this question for me or let me know where I could find the answer.

New Zealand hasn’t had a gift duty since 2011 so you won’t pay tax on gifts you make to family members or other people.

The main way that it can be a problem is if you’re gifting assets in the years before you apply for a rest home subsidy. If you gift more than the limit in the years before you apply, you can find that amount is included in the Government’s calculation of assets.

The Ministry of Social Development says: “We won’t count up to $8000 of assets you’ve gifted each year in the last five years (from when you apply for the subsidy). This is a total of $40,000 of any assets you and your partner (even if they’ve died) have gifted in the last five years.

“If your partner applies at the same time, this amount will double to $80,000 (but we won’t count $40,000 each if you apply at different times).”

Ther could also be situations where the gift of a house to a family member could trigger the bright-line test if you’ve only owned it for a short time. When you gift a house you are considered to have sold it for its market value even if there is no money moving.

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Update: Police rescue operation on SH 2 between Ōpōtiki and Matawai

Source: New Zealand Police

More than 40 people have been evacuated after flooding and slips shut State Highway 2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki yesterday.

Police were alerted to the first slip about 9am on Friday, following heavy rain in the area.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney says by midnight helicopters had brought out everyone stuck between the slips. Another eight people in two private addresses will be evacuated by helicopter this morning.

“It’s been a significant effort to reach so many people who were trapped, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff.

“It’s been a long operation, but we’re just thankful that everyone is safe – everyone we know about has been accounted for.”

Inspector Cooney says helicopters took the evacuated motorists to a local campsite, where an NZDF NH90 helicopter ferried them to evacuation centres at Matawai and Ōpōtiki.

“The recovery of the vehicles will take some time given the significant damage and number of slips through the gorge, but the main thing is nobody was hurt.”

Motorists are advised to use NZTA’s Journey Planner tool to keep up to date with the latest highway conditions: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Kiwis and Australians struggling to experience an OE in London due to difficult job hunts

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwi Oliver Tattersall at a football match in London during his OE. Alice Wilkins/RNZ

An OE in London is often viewed as a right of passage for New Zealanders and Australians, but UK-based recruiters say it is a difficult time to secure work in the city, even for experienced expats.

Oliver Tattersall, 28, has been working as a software developer for six years.

He moved to London from Auckland in June to begin his OE, and was initially looking forward to the job hunt.

“There are a lot of exciting job opportunities in London, especially in software development, so I had pretty big dreams of all these cool companies I could work for,” Tattersall said.

However, the reality of finding work soon became clear.

Tattersall sent off 200 applications during his search – many never returned a response.

On several occasions he progressed through to the end of an interview process, only to miss out to another candidate.

“Those were the down days, when you’d go through an interview process and miss out after the second or third round, and be back at square one, when you’re just sending off several applications a day and hearing nothing,” he said.

After months of unemployment, Tattersall was relying heavily on his savings, and had signed up for temporary work.

He also started posting about his job hunt on social media, to give himself something creative to focus on.

The posts were viewed by his friends, but he received several messages asking questions about what type of work he was looking for, and what experience he had.

“If you know people it’s a lot easier to get a job, and so I thought sharing my journey was a way to put myself out there,” Tattersall said.

Finally, after four months of searching, Tattersall secured a position as a senior associate developer in financial services.

However, other London jobseekers have not been as lucky.

Imogen Haylock, 29, has temporarily moved back home to Adelaide after being unemployed for six months.

She secured a marketing job when she first moved to London in 2024, but was later made redundant.

Finding work for a second time has been significantly harder.

Haylock eventually had to move out of her flat, and live with her sister in London to save rent.

She made the difficult decision to return to Australia, after a particularly promising job opportunity fell through.

“I realised, it has been six months, and I am back at absolute scratch on this job hunt,”

“It just felt like absolute logic to leave and go home at that stage, and just recoup and actually have the chance to stop job hunting for a minute and just reset, because it is very draining,” Haylock said.

She has also been sharing the highs and lows of unemployment on social media, and started a Whatsapp group of 150 followers who are also seeking work in the city.

“I wanted to be really honest and be like, yes I’m unemployed, and yes I can be optimistic about this temporary break and this ability to enjoy London in my spare time, but the reality is that it’s really hard and I’m really struggling with this,”

“I didn’t realise how many people were going through what I was going through, particularly in marketing,” Haylock said.

Deb Brown, a recruiter at Armadillo Connect, which specialises in helping New Zealanders, Australians and Canadians find work in accounting, marketing, and legal roles, said it has been a challenging time for London jobseekers – and that’s likely to continue.

“Corporate and commercial lawyers, who usually have found it fairly easy to secure work in London, particularly if they’re coming from the top tier legal firms in Australia and New Zealand, this year, even those guys are struggling, and in some instances we’re suggesting people just to hold off coming to the UK,” Brown said.

She said London companies are struggling, and cutting back on recruiting to save money.

Brown advised New Zealanders who are thinking about moving, to make sure they have at least several years of industry experience, and have started planning for their job search before arriving.

She said clearly stating whether you have the ability to obtain a longer-term visa on your CV is also a good idea.

“What I will say is Australian and New Zealand professionals are highly regarded in the London job market, and we have all those Aussies and Kiwis before us to thank for that because they have created a great work ethic and a great reputation.”

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Man injured after being hit by car in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

A pedestrian has moderate to serious injuries after being hit by a car in Newtown. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A man has been injured after being hit by a vehicle in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

Emergency services were called to a report of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in Riddiford Street about 6.40pm on Friday.

Police said the pedestrian had moderate to serious injuries.

“There will be some disruption to traffic flow while emergency services work at the scene, especially in the south bound lane of Riddiford Street.

“Motorists are advised to take alternative routes,” police said.

“Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the Serious Crash Unit has been notified.”

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Sonny Bill Williams calls for All Black captaincy change

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sonny Bill Williams. Dan Himbrechts/ www.photosport.nz

Dual code star Sonny Bill Williams has added his voice to the current All Black discussion, saying that the changes to the team shouldn’t end with the firing of coach Scott Robertson.

In a video posted to Instagram, the multiple World Cup and NRL Premiership winner called for Ardie Savea to take over as captain.

“I love Scott Barrett. He’s one of the best players in the world, but I think we need to give the captaincy to Ardie,” said Williams.

“He’s our guy moving forward, just because of the mana he brings. He’s got the runs on the board, look at what he’s done with Moana this year.”

Sydney-based Williams, who played 58 tests between 2010-19 including several seasons alongside both Savea and Barrett, also said that the incoming coaching group should be focused on team culture.

“This is just my honest thoughts and opinion, but I think we need a coaching group that knows how to connect before correcting. Because these players know how to play and we do have the squad,” he said.

Williams name-dropped Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, Dave Rennie and Tana Umaga as potential heirs to Robertson, as the All Blacks embark on an incredibly challenging 2025 season. They begin in July with tests against France and Ireland, before heading away for four against the world champion Springboks.

Ofa Tuungafasi, Sonny Bill Williams and Ardie Savea © Photosport Ltd 2019 www.photosport.nz

In his last press conference as an All Black, after their semifinal exit at the 2019 World Cup, Williams took an unprompted opportunity to call for “more brown faces” in the All Black coaching set up and NZ Rugby administration. It was a point he stands by, saying in his post that “we need more flavour”.

“I know that rubbed up a few people but that’s my honest opinion. Why? Because I’m a big believer that in order to connect, you must connect, and these players at this level know how to play rugby. They know how to kick, tackle, pass. But what got the best out of me was believing in the systems, believing in the coaches…wanting to go out there and run through a brick wall.”

Former All Black coach Sir Steve Hansen rated Williams “the best athlete I’ve coached in a pure athlete sense. His training habits and his off-field habits were world-class.”

As well as his oval-ball exploits, Williams also became the third All Black after Maurice McHugh and Kevin Skinner to win the New Zealand heavyweight boxing title.

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