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Super Rugby Preview: Australia top the table, a century for Dalton Papali’i, rematch of ’25 final

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Brumbies and Waratahs both sit above the kiwi sides after two rounds of Super Rugby. Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz

After two rounds, the Aussies lead the pack.

The Brumbies and Waratahs are setting the pace with New Zealand-based sides occupying spots three to eight.

The lowest placed of those six sides was the defending champion Crusaders.

For the first time since the turn of the century, the Brumbies came to the Christchurch fortress and left victorious.

It leaves the traditional powerhouses with no wins from their first two games, and things don’t get any easier as they head to Hamilton to play the unbeaten Chiefs. It’s been a brutal beginning for Jonno Gibbs’ men, who face a third consecutive derby to kick off their campaign.

The Highlanders head across the Tasman to Brisbane after their heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Dunedin.

Following their captivating rise in 2025, and a stunning round one win over the Drua, it’s been a rough week for Moana Pasifika. Having been soundly beaten in the capital at the hands of the Hurricanes, Moana returned home to the news that once again they would not be playing in the Pacific Islands in 2026. They get their first home game against the Force, who are searching for their first wins of the season.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will enter the Lautoka cauldron against the Drua, who return to the fortress which was breached in round one after being whacked by the Waratahs last weekend.

The Blues round out the weekend’s action as their Australian tour continues in Canberra after a gutsy win in Perth, with skipper Daltan Papali’i to raise his bat in his 100th Super Rugby appearance.

Selection notes

The Hurricanes are churning through their first five stocks, with Callum Harkin handed the ten jersey for the trip to Fiji. Wallaby midfielder Lalakai Foketi will earn his first cap with the Chiefs from the bench, while All Black Wallace Sititi returns and Xavier Roe plays his 50th. Sam Darry returns for the Blues after sitting out round two with a concussion, while Moana prop Abraham Pole becomes just the second player from Moana Pasifika to notch fifty caps.

Injury ward

Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister is out of action with a hand injury and should be back by round five.

The Hurricanes have a full casualty ward with Brett Cameron awaiting a specialist review, Du’Plessis Kirifi a week away with a calf complaint, and Ruben Love still recovering from an ankle injury.

The Blues are also without several frontliners from their pack, with Cameron Christie, Joshua Fusitu’a and Patrick Tuipulotu all sidelined.

Finn Hurley remains unavailable for the Highlanders, still another six weeks from a return. Cullen Grace’s return is unknown as he battles a knee injury, while All Black hooker Codie Taylor also has no timeline on when he will be back.

Team lists

Moana vs Force

Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday February 27

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Live blog updates on RNZ

Moana:

1. Tito Tuipulotu. 2. Millennium Sanerivi. 3. Chris Apoua. 4. Tom Savage. 5. Allan Craig. 6. Miracle Faiilagi captain. 7. Semisi Paea. 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. 9. Jonathan Taumateine. 10. Patrick Pellegrini. 11. Solomon Alaimalo. 12. Ngani Laumape. 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo. 14. Tevita Ofa. 15. Glen Vaihu.

Impact: 16. Samiuela Moli. 17. Abraham Pole 50th Super Rugby cap. 18. Lolani Faleiva. 19. Ola Tauelangi. 20. Tupou Afungia (debut.) 21. Melani Matavao. 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop. 23. Tevita Latu (debut).

“It’s only a loss if you don’t learn from it. We don’t have time to dwell on mistakes. It’s just about us getting better each week, trusting our game, and making sure we play what we train.” – Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga

Reds vs Highlanders

Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday February 27

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Highlanders

1. Ethan de Groot. 2. Jack Taylor. 3. Rohan Wingham. 4. Will Stodart. 5. Mitch Dunshea. 6. Te Kamaka Howden. 7. Sean Withy (cc) 8. Lucas Casey. 9. Adam Lennox. 10. Cameron Millar. 11. Jona Nareki. 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) 13. Jonah Lowe. 14. Caleb Tangitau. 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: 16. Soane Vikena. 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown. 18. Sosefo Kautai. 19. Oliver Haig. 20. Veveni Lasaqa. 21. Folau Fakatava. 22. Reesjan Pasitoa. 23. Tanielu Tele’a.

“We’re working hard on the small details that will help us deliver a more complete 80‑minute performance. We’ll need that level of accuracy and intensity if we’re going to get the job done on Friday.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

Drua vs Hurricanes

4:35pm Kickoff Saturday 28 February 2026

Churchill Park, Lautoka

Live blog updates on RNZ

Hurricanes:

1. Pouri Rakete-Stones 2. Asafo Aumua (vc) 3. Tevita Mafileo 4. Hugo Plummer 5. Warner Dearns 6. Devan Flanders 7. Peter Lakai 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Callum Harkin 11. Fehi Fineanganofo 12. Jordie Barrett (c) 13. Billy Proctor 14. Bailyn Sullivan 15. Josh Moorby

Bench: 16. Jacob Devery 17. Xavier Numia 18. Siale Lauaki 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Brad Shields 21. Ereatara Enari 22. Lucas Cashmore (debut) 23. Ngane Punivai

“We’re looking forward to the challenge. We know what we’re walking into with their home record, certainly in Lautoka and it being a day game.” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.

Chiefs vs Crusaders

Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 28 February 2026

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Live blog updates on RNZ

Chiefs:

1. Jared Proffit 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho 3. George Dyer 4. Josh Lord 5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc) 6. Simon Parker 7. Kaylum Boshier 8. Luke Jacobson (c) 9. Xavier Roe 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Leroy Carter 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 13. Daniel Rona 14. Emoni Narawa 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo

Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson 17. Benet Kumeroa 18. Reuben O’Neill 19. Samipeni Finau 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage 23. Lalakai Foketi

“We’ve got a healthy squad, so that helps with the consistency in selections, but the players are making it really tough to pick the team – which is great.” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbs

Crusaders:

1. Tamaiti Williams. 2. George Bell. 3. Fletcher Newell. 4. Antonio Shalfoon. 5. Jamie Hannah. 6. Dom Gardiner. 7. Ethan Blackadder. 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. Will Jordan.

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu. 17. George Bower. 18. Seb Calder. 19. Tahlor Cahill. 20. Corey Kellow. 21. Louie Chapman. 22. James White. 23. Dallas McLeod.

“We can’t focus on one element too much because we’ll end up getting stung in another area. Any team that beats the Chiefs have to have a complete performance.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney

Brumbies vs Blues

Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 28 February 2026

GIO Stadium, Canberra

Live blog updates on RNZ

Blues:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 2. Kurt Eklund. 3. Marcel Renata. 4. Laghlan McWhannell. 5. Sam Darry. 6. Anton Segner. 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Hoskins Sotutu. 9. Finlay Christie. 10. Stephen Perofeta. 11. Caleb Clarke. 12. Pita Ahki. 13. AJ Lam. 14. Cole Forbes. 15. Zarn Sullivan.

Bench: 16. Bradley Slater. 17. Mason Tupaea. 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Josh Beehre. 20. Torian Barnes. 21. Taufa Funaki. 22. Xavi Taele. 23. Codemeru Vai.

“The Brumbies are well organised and have started their season well. They will be tough competitors, particularly at home, but we are up for the challenge.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.

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

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Homes evacuated in Central Otago as fire threatens properties

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

At least eight houses have been evacuated in Central Otago as a quick moving fire threatens properties.

Fire and Emergency says it was called to a large grassfire that was threatening structures in the Springvale area near Clyde before 3.30pm.

The fire was 400 metres by 400 metres initially, but a spokesperson says it’s spreading quickly.

Crews from across Central Otago and as far afield as Dunedin have been called in to fight the fire, including four helicopters.

The spokesperson says it’s unknown if any properties have been damaged at this stage and crews have also moved livestock out of paddocks that were under threat.

Fire and Emergency is working with police to close Springvale Road.

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MediMap hack: Pharmacists implement manuel system to maintain safe care levels

Source: Radio New Zealand

MediMap is used by some health providers in aged care, disability, hospice and the community to accurately record medication doses and pharmacists say it going offline has caused “significant disruption”. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

Pharmacies are falling back on their emergency back-up plans to distribute medication, and doing a lot of unpaid leg-work in the process, following the MediMap hack.

The prescription portal is used by many aged care, disability, and hospice providers to track medication, but it’s been offline since Sunday when it was discovered patient information had been changed – details like names, dates of birth, allergies, even marked some patients as deceased.

For nurses in care homes, MediMap going offline had meant a return to pen and paper, meaning it was taking a lot longer to get things done.

The same is true for pharmacists.

James Westbury, owner of Westbury Pharmacy and Unichem Kilbirnie Pharmacy in Wellington, said they supported about 5000 people in aged care, hospice and supported housing.

He said it had been “incredibly difficult” and caused “significant disruption” – with the digital system offline, pharmacists had downed tools to get a new manual system underway.

That involved going back through people’s dispensing histories and charts to make sure they were up to date, and in many cases, getting extra sign-off from a prescriber to be able to dispense medication.

“Unfortunately pharmacies get paid on dispensing, and when you’re not dispensing you’re not making money, so at the moment this is all done for the love of patient safety.”

Was it posing a risk to patient care? He said it added complexity, but it was manageable.

“The systems that we’ve got in place at the moment, I feel quite comfortable that care will be maintained at a safe level, particularly for regular prescribed and PRN [meaning, as needed] medication,” he said.

“The only real concern is where it’s short course [prescriptions] where it’s a little bit more difficult. We can still produce the data to provide safe continuity of care, it’s just a lot more challenging to get that information out – but it’s the art of the possible.”

Pharmacists had been forced to get a new manual system underway due to MediMap being offline. 123RF

Westbury said communication from MediMap had been “appalling”.

Pharmacists had been assured there was a digital backup in place should MediMap fail, called MediMap Go, he said. But that appeared to have been affected by the same hack, and was also offline, leaving pharmacists to scramble a new system into place.

Kesh Naidoo-Rauf, president of the Pharmacy Guild, said members were coping, but it had come at a bad time.

“We’re already struggling and facing workforce pressures, so it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the sector, in all honesty.”

But the priority was patient safety.

“We are trained for exactly these types of situations, so we’ve got our strong checks and balances in place to maintain safe dispensing processes. So it is still safe, but it is a lot slower.”

MediMap has declined multiple interviews with RNZ, but on Wednesday put out a statement saying it was heading to court to seek an injunction to stop anyone accessing, using, copying or sharing information from its systems.

It’s still unclear how many people have been caught up in the breach.

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Ultra-processed food marketing needs tougher regulations – researcher

Source: Radio New Zealand

A university researcher who tracks the amount of ultra-processed products and ingredients coming into New Zealand is calling for stronger regulations around marketing, especially to children.

Ultra-processed foods are not just junk food, but anything full of chemical based preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and artificial colours and flavours.

A US attorney is suing some of the biggest food manufacturers, accusing them of deliberately designing products to be addictive – despite the harm they are known to cause. David Chiu says with products from all companies involved in the lawsuit also available in New Zealand, it should be a worry here.

A selection of common foods considered processed to different degrees. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

In 2023, ultra-processed foods made up 23 percent of New Zealand’s imports, compared to only 7 percent in 1990, says Dr Kelly Garton from the University of Auckland.

She told Checkpoint it was time for the government to step in, because consumers were influenced in ways they could not control.

A major step would be better labelling and restrictions around packaging directed at children.

“I would love for our labels to give much clearer indication to consumers and what’s in their food. Getting rid of any of those misleading claims around healthiness or environmental friendliness, for example, as well as not allowing ultra-processed foods to have marketing packaging that’s targeting kids.”

Dr Kelly Garton RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Garton said much of the marketing was currently targeted at young people, along with their parents.

“A lot of these products will have colours, shapes, or flavours or textures that are meant to appeal to children and younger people. And so obviously that’s meant to sell more product.

“A lot of the marketing is targeted at parents. It might have a certain amount of health washing, you know, a good source of protein when maybe it’s a protein derivative that’s been added back in. not necessarily a healthy whole protein that you could be consuming otherwise.”

But marketing was only one of the reasons that ultra-processed foods were so prominent in New Zealanders diets.

“We are now reliant on these products in many ways that we can’t control, these are the products that are by and large the most available and affordable, and they’re heavily marketed to us.

“Also in terms of our social and economic circumstances, many of us, most of us are time poor. Many of us are financially constrained. We’re overly reliant on foods that are cheap, shelf stable, and very convenient. Added to that, fresh fruit and veg is absurdly expensive these days.”

RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Alongside Checkpoint, Garton examined a number of ultra-processed products to decipher the contents.

She said flavourings were often a warning sign.

“These flavours or natural colourings are put there to emulate or to mask or enhance flavours that whole foods would have. So they’re inherently manipulating our sense receptors.”

However, just because something falls under the ultra processed category did not mean it had to be avoided.

“These products would fall under the ultra-processed classification. Not all of them are going to be bad for us. Some of them, especially those that give us a lot of fibre and low in sugar, can be absolutely part of a healthy diet, especially given the constraints that we’re under these days.”

But if possible, Garton said the less processed option was always preferable.

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Strong backing for Applied Doctorates Scheme

Source: New Zealand Government

A scheme that brings student researchers and industry together to tackle challenges that matter to people’s daily lives is open for further applications, Science, Innovation and Technology and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti says.

“The Applied Doctorates Scheme attracted strong backing from industry last year, and the new call for projects will provide more students the opportunity to solve real world challenges while earning their PhDs,” Dr Reti says.

“Students in the applied doctorates programme will develop advanced research skills while working with businesses to build commercial skills and deliver practical solutions for New Zealand. For industry, this is a chance to work with skilled researchers who bring fresh ideas and deep expertise.

“The first cohort is focused on energy research, with 25 industry-led projects selected from 76 submissions across energy systems, infrastructure, agriculture and high-tech engineering, recognising energy’s central role in supporting households and businesses, lifting productivity and keeping costs down.

“These students will contribute to projects that deliver results for Kiwis, including geothermal innovation with Contact Energy, reducing household electricity costs with Vector, improving energy efficiency at the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter, and strengthening rural resilience through power trading with Victoria University.

“The second cohort of doctoral-level research projects is now open for applications, and the theme for the 2026 call is Aerospace, Defence & Security, sectors that underpin New Zealand’s economic resilience and national security.

“The projects include a mix of fully Government funded and co-funded initiatives, reflecting confidence in the scheme’s direction and purpose. The first group of students are enrolling now and are expected to begin in the middle of 2026.

“The Applied Doctorates Scheme backs high-value science that will deliver results for New Zealanders, building a pipeline of researchers who can turn strong ideas into real economic and community outcomes.”
Notes to editors:

Photos: Credit Rio Tinto – Students at the Tiwai smelter as part of their graduate studies.

Attached: Applied Doctorates Programme: 2025 Energy Research Cohort Case Studies. Visit the Applied Doctorates Scheme website for further information and a full list of projects https://applieddoctorates.nz/.

Established in 2025, the Applied Doctorates Scheme strengthens the connection between universities and industry by equipping PhD students with both advanced research expertise and applied skills needed in modern workplaces. It is supported by a five-year, $20 million Government investment to grow a workforce that can translate cutting edge science into real world benefit. 

The 2025 round sought projects on the theme of New Zealand’s path to energy innovation. The 2026 round of projects will focus on Aerospace, Defence and Security. Applications close 11 May and the projects will be made public week of 2 July. The 2027 theme will focus on Biotechnology and Bioprocessing research.

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Van owner arrested after crashing down a bank

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested the owner of a van following a burglary in Christchurch that ended with a trailer detaching and the van crashing down a bank near Amberley.

Sergeant Nathan Wilson, of Canterbury Police, says the incident unfolded after a member of the public discovered a sign‑written trailer abandoned on the outskirts of Amberley.

“The caller phoned the number written on the trailer, and the owner then contacted Police,” Sergeant Wilson says.

The trailer had been stolen overnight from a Cole Porter Avenue address in Mairehau, Christchurch.

Police arrived at the scene finding the van’s owner back up with the trailer. A van was also found nearby, having crashed down a bank after the tow ball ripped free and remained lodged inside the trailer’s coupling.

“The driver was extremely lucky to walk away from this,” Sergeant Wilson says.

The van’s owner was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with burglary, two counts of theft relating to petrol drive-offs and possessing drug utensils. Further charges are likely pending testing of a substance found among his belongings.

Police are also investigating other offending committed in the Mairehau area overnight.

Police encourage anyone in Cole Porter Avenue, or the wider Mairehau area, who believes they may have information regarding offending, to contact us.

“This is also a great example of the public stepping up to help us,” Sergeant Wilson says. “A quick call from a member of the community helped us recover stolen property, identify the offender, and keep North Canterbury that little bit safer.”

If you have information please update us online now or call 105.

Please use reference number 260220/8839.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

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How a wind gust triggered high-speed Auckland SailGP crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

A sudden increase in wind speed caused the Black Foils to lose control of their boat moments before their high-speed crash with Team France in this month’s SailGP regatta in Auckland, an investigation has found.

The horrifying crash, which unfolded just 15 seconds after the start of the third race on day one, left two sailors hospitalised, and significantly reshaped the seasons of both teams, with the two boats suffering extensive damage.

Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair sustained compound fractures to both legs in the incident, while France strategist Manon Audinet suffered internal abdominal injuries after the French F50 catamaran ploughed into the out-of-control Kiwi boat at speeds approaching 90 km/hour. Both sailors have since left hospital and are recovering at home.

SailGP officials on Wednesday released the findings of its technical review of the incident, revealing its engineers had found “no evidence of system malfunction”.

Alex Reid, SailGP’s director of performance and engineering, said the incident occurred after the Black Foils’ boat Amokura hit a gust of wind as it charged towards the first mark at 90 km/h. The extra wind pressure caused the foiling catamaran to accelerate rapidly and lift higher out of the water.

That increased “ride height” proved critical.

Black Foils SailGP Team and DS Automobiles SailGP Team France collide during Race 3, on Race Day 1. Simon Bruty for SailGP

As the hull rose, the leeward hydrofoil pierced the surface – a phenomenon known as ventilation – destabilising the boat. What followed was, according to Reid, “a very fast chain of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic events” that unfolded within seconds.

Data from onboard telemetry, high-rate performance systems and simulator recreations show the F50 began to sideslip, generating lift in unintended ways. Despite control inputs from flight controller Blair Tuke, the boat could not be brought down quickly enough.

As the crew fought to regain control – increasing rudder angle while trying to avoid nearby boats – the rudder briefly lost effective flow. The windward bow then dipped, the boat rounded sharply into the wind and decelerated hard.

Immediately behind, the French F50 was travelling at roughly 86km/h. At those closing speeds, there was no time or room to avoid impact.

“There is no evidence of a system malfunction or structural failure prior to the incident,” Reid said.

“What we see in the data is a very fast chain of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic events that pushed the boat beyond its controllable envelope at that moment.”

A penalty review has upheld the on-water decision that New Zealand breached rule 14 (avoiding contact) handing the Black Foils an eight-event-point penalty. France was deemed to have had no reasonable opportunity to avoid the crash.

Speaking to media last week after Black Foils driver and team boss Peter Burling described the incident as “horrific”.

Black Foils driver Peter Burling and team are expected to be off the water for some time after the crash caused significant damage to Amokura. Alan Lee/Photosport

“We started off race three and were going down reach one to windward of the Italian boat. We ended up high on the foil and ended up sliding sideways.

“We hit a system limit, which drastically escalated that situation, and had to take quite drastic action to avoid the Italian boat to leeward, which resulted in us touching down. Obviously, the incident followed that.”

Both teams have since been ruled out of the upcoming Sydney Sail Grand Prix as repairs continue.

SailGP says it is now examining potential mitigations to help crews better manage similar gust-driven scenarios in future regattas.

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Sharlene Smith homicide: Vehicle of interest identified

Source: Radio New Zealand

The vehicle of interest in the Sharlene Smith investigation. Supplied / NZ Police

Police investigating the death of a grandmother whose body was found at a Hawke’s Bay worksite earlier this month have identified a likely route taken by a vehicle of interest.

Police have issued a fresh appeal for help from the public in the investigation into the death of Sharlene Smith, 64, from Rotorua.

Smith’s body was found at a property on Taihape Road in Omahu, near Hastings, on 3 February.

Police earlier described the incident as the “tragic and avoidable death of a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister”.

In a statement released this afternoon, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kris Payne said police had identified a likely route taken by a vehicle of interest.

“We know this vehicle was used on the day Sharlene’s body was left at the worksite, and officers have carried out extensive work to locate and review CCTV footage from the relevant timeframe.”

The route taken by a vehicle of interest in the Sharlene Smith murder investigation. Supplied / NZ Police

Anybody who saw a white 2005 Mazda 3 sports hatchback between 8am and midday on Sunday 1 February 2026, – travelling from the Awatoto area, through Taihape Road/Omahu Road and the Fernhill area, and into Marewa, Napier – is urged to contact police.

“We are asking anyone who saw this vehicle, or who has home, business, or dashcam CCTV footage from those areas during that time, to please contact Police if not already spoken to,” said Payne.

Two items belonging to Smith are believed to have been discarded along the same route: a handbag and a Samsung Galaxy A06 mobile phone.

A handbag that is being sought as part of the Sharlene Smith murder investigation. Supplied / NZ Police

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 105 and referencing file number 260203/9739. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Meridian warns households could face power bill increases up to seven percent

Source: Radio New Zealand

Meridian Energy CEO Mike Roan. Meridian Energy

Meridian Energy says households could face power bill increases of up to seven percent this year, mostly due to lines and transmission charges.

The country’s biggest power generator returned to profitability in the half-year ended December, posting a bottom-line profit of $227 million, compared to the previous year’s dry-year-driven loss of $121m.

Chief executive Mike Roan said “unfortunately” some cost increases would be passed through to households again this year.

“I had assumed they might be in the order of around 5 percent earlier as we came back from Christmas,” he said.

“But the lines and transmission component has come in higher than expected, so my 5 percent has lifted to more like 7 [percent].”

Lines and transmission cost increases are regulated by the Commerce Commission, and they have been increasing to fund infrastructure improvements.

“The energy component of those increases is just above the rate of inflation, so we are doing a good job of limiting the increases in price driven by electricity costs, but that lines and transmission component is challenging, and it will flow for the next few years through consumers’ bills.”

Roan acknowledged it was “really tough” for customers to hear.

Asked whether companies the size of Meridian could cushion the impact on households, Roan said it did cushion households when it came to energy prices.

“That was evident materially last year given our result where we did buy a whole lot of insurance to protect the electricity system, but we try to pass through those line charges to consumers,” he said.

Meridian has remained competitive in the household market, with the company recording a 12 percent increase in retail sales volumes from a year ago.

LNG will help dry-year risk but no ‘silver bullet’

Mike Roan said the government’s move to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) would help the energy system during dry years.

“The combination of the Huntly strategic reserve, the big demand response agreement we’ve got with the Tiwai aluminium smelter down south, and LNG, will help us navigate future droughts successfully as a country,” he said.

“There’s no question about that.”

Roan said early indications showed forward pricing had also moved lower following the government’s LNG announcement and various power companies’ results.

“Interestingly – and there aren’t many coincidences in financial markets – is those forward prices have come off over the last couple of weeks and since that announcement,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that those prices have started to think about the amount of investment that’s coming to market because we’ve just been through the interim announcements by ourselves and our competitors.”

Roan said forward prices had fallen by around $10 a megawatt hour.

Along with the country’s other major generators, Meridian has extensive projects underway to build new electricity generation.

Meridian said it continued to move at pace towards its goal of having seven generation projects in construction ready by 2030.

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Investigation underway after body found near vehicle in Westland

Source: Radio New Zealand

A police officer found the body near Parkers Creek. Google Maps

Police are investigating after a person was found dead near a vehicle in Whataroa, north of Franz Josef.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Lyford said a police officer found the body near Parkers Creek.

“At this time, the death is being treated as unexplained,” he said.

Lyford said members of the Whataroa community can expect to see an increased police presence as investigations continue.

A postmortem examination is due to be carried out later in the week.

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