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Scott Robertson named Barbarians coach in first role since All Blacks axing

Source: Radio New Zealand

Scott Robertson. ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Scott Robertson will get his shot at redemption against the Springboks.

However, it won’t come as All Blacks coach.

Robertson has been named as one of four coaches to lead the Barbarians in their clash against the world champions in June.

It will be ‘Razor’s’ first assignment since he was sensationally axed as All Blacks coach in January.

Robertson is no stranger to the Barbarians environment, having coached the side on four previous occasions – against New Zealand and Tonga in 2017, an All Blacks XV in 2022, and Wales in 2023.

“The Barbarians brings the rugby world together, so it’s special to be a part of it and to honour the jersey,” Robertson said.

The side has assembled a quality coaching quartet featuring Robertson, Los Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi, Racing 92 head coach Patrice Collazo and Argentina assistant coach Kenny Lynn.

The Barbarians have faced South Africa nine times since their first meeting in 1952, and Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the return of the famous invitational side.

“It’s always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and we are looking forward to hosting them in South Africa. This is a new season with two new exciting competitions, so the sooner we get into a test match mindset, the better.”

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Australian police charge New Zealand man after finding extremist videos on his phone

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian police have charged a New Zealand man over alleged violent extremist material. Supplied

Australian police say they have charged a New Zealand man found with videos of violent extremist material on his phone.

They say the 24-year-old was stopped for a baggage examination at Perth Airport on Monday after he arrived on a flight from overseas.

Police said his phone contained videos of a number of terrorist attacks, including violent killings overseas linked to varying ideologies, and videos showing manufacturing of home-made explosives.

The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team executed a search warrant at a Perth property and seized a computer.

The man has been charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material.

Australian Federal Police Commander Nick Read said police worked closely with security partners to prevent the spread of violent extremist material, which undermined Australia’s social cohesion.

“There is no place in Australian society for violent or extremist content, which terrorist organisations use as a tool to radicalise members of the community, particularly young or vulnerable people,” he said.

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Temperatures set to drop in South Island in next few days

Source: Radio New Zealand

NIWA’s map shows rain is set to hit the South Island by 6pm on Thursday. Screenshot / NIWA / Earth Sciences New Zealand

A cold front could cause temperatures to plunge later this week, particularly in the South Island.

NIWA meteorologist Chester Lampkin said for the past couple of days there has been high pressure across New Zealand, but that is set to change.

A moisture-laden tropical low is nearing New Zealand, which will lead to a cold southerly change, particularly in the South Island, he said.

Towards the weekend, there could be the possibility of a tropical cyclone or low reaching the North Island, he said.

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, he said.

But a southerly front reaches the lower South Island later on Wednesday, he said.

“And then late in the day a shower and even a few thunderstorms for Fiordland and parts of Southland and Stewart Island,” he said.

A west south-west change will lead to showers and even thunderstorms across parts of the South Island on Thursday, he said.

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

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Hundreds still without power after last week’s storm

Source: Radio New Zealand

Last week’s storm caused the most damage to the network since Cyclone Gabrielle, PowerCo says. Supplied / Caleb Gordon

More than 200 people in the lower North Island are still without power, a week after the destructive storm hit the region.

Powerco said most of those still cut off were in the Whanganui-Rangitīkei region.

Head of network operations Mark Dunn said the storm had caused the most damage to the network since Cyclone Gabrielle.

More than 500 lines were brought down, he said.

The amount of tree damage caused by the storm in remote forestry blocks had meant it was taking time to restore supply.

“We understand how frustrating it is to be without power and thank people for their patience and the resilience they were required to call on.”

Dunn said the company had been working closely with emergency management and the Red Cross to support affected customers.

Helicopters were used over the weekend to access hard-to-reach areas and string lines to remote parts of Wairarapa and Whanganui-Rangitīkei, to assist crews where ground access was limited.

He said Powerco crews had attended 1689 jobs since the storm and 250 field staff were involved.

Crews had come from Taranaki, Hamilton, Matamata, Tauranga and Dannevirke.

Meanwhile in Wellington, 60 customers were still without power on Tuesday.

Wellington Electricity said it expected to have less than 10 customers to reconnect tomorrow.

On Monday Wellingtonians who had previously been without power for days raised questions about whether the company should compensate households hit by the powerful storm.

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Canterbury Museum pleads for an extra $64m after another budget blow-out

Source: Radio New Zealand

Canterbury Museum’s redevelopment had an original budget of $205 million, which has now been pushed out to almost $262 million. Supplied/Canterbury Museum

Canterbury Museum is pleading for councils and central government to stump up an extra $64 million for its cost-plagued redevelopment following another budget blow-out.

The project had an original budget of $205 million, which rose to $247m last year, but escalating construction costs and funding delays had now pushed it to almost $262m.

Museum trust board chair David Ayers said the board needed help plugging a shortfall of almost $92m to keep the museum on track to open in mid-2029.

“Throughout the redevelopment project, we’ve continued to undertake value engineering and make compromises to reduce costs. We’ve now exhausted all feasible options for reducing costs without undermining the building’s functionality or asset life,” he said.

The board was calling for $26.9m from Christchurch ratepayers over four years, in addition to $2.4m from the Selwyn district, $2.1m from Waimakariri and $300,000 from Hurunui.

It had made a request to the central government for $32m over four years to match the local government contribution.

This year’s bid follows a failed attempt last year to secure funding.

The museum trust board made its case to the Christchurch City Council on Tuesday morning.

Deputy director Sarah Murray told councillors there would be an economic benefit to the city.

“When the museum reopens, it’s estimated there will be 800,000 visitors a year to the museum. We’re forecast then to generate around $83 million in regional and economic activity in that year alone. That will benefit local accommodation providers, businesses, retail and transport services,” she said.

The museum was also proposing an entry fee for overseas visitors.

Ayers said a cost review had found the museum needed a higher contingency allowance to complete the final two construction stages – the new basement and building and their fit-out – to give greater confidence that the project cost or schedule would not be exceeded.

The contingency allowance had been increased to $9.8m and a six-month delay in securing additional funding has added $5.1m to the project’s cost.

Ayers said the museum had hoped to secure additional capital last year so the final two stages of construction could be completed simultaneously, which would have saved money.

“Further delays in securing the extra capital will just keep adding to the cost – $7.2 million a year – and will push the opening date to 2030,” Ayers said.

Canterbury Museum was a significant heritage building and one of the last major public buildings to be fully upgraded and reopened since the Canterbury earthquakes, he said.

“It’s also much more than a public attraction and shouldn’t be viewed solely through the heritage buildings we occupy. The services we deliver define our public value,” Ayers said.

“We care for a collection of 2.3 million objects which tell the stories and history of Canterbury and the people who live here. We look after an internationally significant Antarctic collection and a quarter of Aotearoa New Zealand’s nationally distributed collection. Like libraries, museums are critical civic infrastructure, central to learning, identity, discovery and cultural life.”

Minister for the South Island James Meager said he visited the Canterbury Museum redevelopment site in January.

“I was encouraged by the progress made to date, with a lot of work still to come. We discussed a range of issues related to the region’s culture and heritage.

The government had already contributed $35m towards the development, he said.

“Any kind of funding decision would need to be made by Cabinet as part of the next Budget process. It would be weighed up against other priorities in a tight fiscal environment with competing priorities in health, education, and law and order.”

Funding for the redevelopment had come from the museum’s own funds ($63.4m), private donations ($1.05m), grants and lotteries funding ($850,000), central government ($35m) and local government ($69.8m), including $24.5m from Christchurch City Council for strengthening the Robert McDougall Gallery.

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

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Why some newer smartphones may be hit by the 3G shutdown

Source: Radio New Zealand

All three main mobile operators are shutting down their 3G networks and upgrading their sites to either 4G or 5G. Jae Park/ Unsplash

A digital equity advocate is worried that many people will not understand what is required to keep connected after the 3G network is shut down.

All three main mobile operators – Spark, 2degrees and One NZ – are shutting down their 3G networks and upgrading their sites to either 4G or 5G. By 31 March, the 3G network will be closed, with 4G and 5G entirely taking its place.

This means some devices, not just phones, but also things like medical, security alarms and vehicle trackers will cease working with the network. Phone calls, including to 111, will not work.

Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa’s Marie Silberstein has heard from many people surprised to find themselves in a position where their phone no longer functions.

She told Nine to Noon that some imported phones or phones bought overseas may not work on the network. She said even if the phones say they are 4G capable, it does not necessarily mean they are 4G capable in New Zealand.

“It’s really imported, refurbished [phones]. You won’t know unless you text 3G to 550, especially if you bought it overseas,” Silberstein said.

“4G here is not on the same band as 4G overseas.”

To find out if your phone will work, you can text ‘3G’ to 550 for free, which will let you know if your device can use 4G. If it says you cannot, you will need to investigate further.

Some phones may need to change their settings, while others may need to be replaced.

For phones bought overseas that were having trouble connecting to 4G, telcos advise customers to try downloading the latest software. If this doesn’t work, customers may need to replace the phone.

Silberstein said if you are in the group of people who need to upgrade their phone, don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive new phone.

She said she has heard from people in the community that on their teleco’s 3G information page on their website, there were ads for expensive phones.

“Please feel empowered to not go with the most expensive phone,” Silberstein said.

“Before you go in and talk to your provider, you can go to a library, you can go to a community hub, you can check in with whānau, you can talk to trusted friends that you know are whizzes on their phones, and say, ‘look, what phone do I need?'”

If you need to upgrade your phone, you can recycle your old phone for free with RE:MOBILE.

A free text number has been set up for people to check their phone’s status as 3G networks shut down. Supplied

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AI and privacy: Commissioner signs on to global statement on ‘potential harms’

Source: Radio New Zealand

An image of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis was misleadingly animated using AI by a Facebook page recently. Screenshot / Facebook

New Zealand’s privacy commissioner’s office has signed on to a global joint statement voicing concerns about AI-generated images and calling on organisations to follow the law.

The statement – by multiple countries expresses – “concern about the potential harms from the misuse of AI content generation systems,” and says robust safeguards and regulations are needed.

“The creation of non-consensual intimate imagery can constitute a criminal offence in many jurisdictions,” the statement notes.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is an independent Crown entity that regulates the Privacy Act 2020 and ensures agencies know privacy rules. It also helps individuals whose privacy has been breached.

Concerns about the use of images of real people manipulated by artificial intelligence have been growing, with AI “slop” purveyors on social media pushing out multiple fake images about New Zealand news stories, for example, and ACT MP Laura McClure introducing a bill to criminalise non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes.

“The concerns about these technologies include the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery and potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups,” the privacy commissioner’s office said.

Generative AI “systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules,” the commissioner’s office said.

The joint statement was signed by more than 50 different agencies from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France and elsewhere.

“While AI can bring meaningful benefits for individuals and society, recent developments – particularly AI image and video generation integrated into widely accessible social media platforms – have enabled the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content featuring real individuals,” the joint statement said.

“We are especially concerned about potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups, such as cyber-bullying and/or exploitation.”

“We call on organisations to engage proactively with regulators, implement robust safeguards from the outset, and ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity, safety,” the statement said.

The statement does not act to change any of New Zealand’s current laws, but may provide more pressure to bring them up to date as AI usage continues to rise.

University of Canterbury lecturer in law Dr Cassandra Mudgway has previously written on the need for more regulation over sexualised deepfakes.

“I think it goes along with what the office of the Privacy Commissioner has been trying to get out in relation to AI tools very generally,” she said. “In 2023 they released some guidance around AI tools and the use of AI tools by agencies.”

Privacy commissioner Michael Webster has also [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/579020/privacy-commissioner-insists-new-zealand-s-laws-need-modernising recently said the country’s laws must be modernised to better protect New Zealanders.

“The Privacy Commissioner is really only concerned with how AI tools relate … to the Privacy Act,” Mudgway said.

The Human Rights Tribunal can award compensatory damages for breaches of the Privacy Act, but the fines typically wouldn’t make a difference to huge social media and AI companies, Mudgway said.

“If New Zealand wants to engage in these kind of conversations then we really do need to think about wider regulation.”

A ban on “nudify” type apps such as was recently introduced by Australia could be an easy first step, she said.

There have been concerns raised about use of AI during this year’s election campaigns. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump has taken to frequently posting AI-generated content on his social media feeds.

“I think that it’s a really positive move that there’s an international conversation about (AI) through different regulators … but in terms of making a positive change or a proactive change then that’s going to have to come from Parliament,” Mudgway said.

“It’s going to have to come from the government of the day and it’s going to be political will whether they listen to that movement.”

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Significant maintenance contracts up for renewal

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council is renewing a significant suite of full facilities and maintenance contracts, to support the upkeep of thousands of community, park and play assets across the region for the next five to 10 years.

These contracts cover all the services required to maintain 10,298 hectares of gardens and green spaces, 853 toilets, 775km of carparks, 897 playgrounds, 66 libraries, 43 pools, three holiday parks and 3,661 kilometres of walkways in Tāmaki Makaurau.

General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities Taryn Crewe says a key focus of the procurement process is cost efficiency and that will involve looking at how the new contracts can deliver the best value for ratepayers.

“The council commits around $195 million each year – around $100 per resident – to keep our extensive range of local parks and sports fields mowed, trees trimmed, facilities clean and buildings maintained to a high standard for widespread community use,” says Mrs Crewe.

“The full facilities and maintenance contracts are critical to managing these assets well for everyone to enjoy, now and for generations to come.

“To identify strengths and key areas for improvement, the council has gathered extensive feedback, analysed the performance data of our existing contracts, and reviewed facilities management best practices across Australasia.”

In 2017, the council combined the maintenance of parks and community facilities under a small number of large outcome-based contracts, that expire in 2027. This aimed to leverage the council’s scale, simplify maintenance operations and manage risks through outsourcing.

The current contract renewal looks to secure contracts that include large and small suppliers, with locally led decision-making.

“We are looking to retain the strengths and proven benefits of having large service providers with some key improvements from contracting smaller local suppliers, and keeping specialised skills in-house,” says Ms Crewe.

“We’ve identified a need to align new contracts with increased local board decision-making responsibilities and priorities, while also maintaining cost-efficiency and consistent service delivery across the region.”

In parks, reserves and open spaces, contractors undertake litter removal, mowing, cleaning of toilets, BBQs and playgrounds, facility maintenance and repairs, and managing pest plants and animals.

In and outside halls, libraries and community centres, leisure centres and pool facilities, ongoing work is required to maintain and clean public areas including toilets, changing rooms and storage buildings.    

Further work by contractors helps to look after urban gardens, keep streetscapes, bus shelters and town centres clean.

Expressions of interest are open to all providers, large and small, until 11 March 2026. A detailed evaluation process will follow, with a shortlist of preferred suppliers prepared for the Value for Money Committee to consider in December.

The council’s current contracts finish in June 2027, with new contracts set to start from 1 July 2027. 

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Primary school principals accept government pay offer

Source: Radio New Zealand

Richard Tindiller

Primary school principals have voted to accept the government’s offer in pay negotiations.

A majority of members of the NZEI education union voted to accept the Ministry of Education’s agreement.

Primary principals will receive a 2.5 percent increase immediately, plus 2.1 percent in 12 months.

The settlement also includes a $15,000 workload allowance for implementing the government’s curriculum changes.

Stephen Lethbridge, a member of the bargaining team, said the allowance was necessary.

“The $15,000 change management allowance is a necessary recognition of the immense pressure involved in implementing wholesale curriculum change, but it is in no way an endorsement of its content.”

Lethbridge said Tuesday’s result recognises the power of the “collective voice” at the bargaining table.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy base payment will increase to $10,000 per year over the term of the agreement.

She said the settlement delivers meaningful improvements to primary principal pay and conditions

“It reflects shared priorities, with a firm commitment to leading implementation of the new curriculum and lifting educational outcomes for our students.”

Stanford said principals play a key role in schools and the teaching workforce.

“They are dedicated and passionate about lifting educational achievement, and their leadership must be recognised during this important reform programme.”

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‘Ultra-processed foods are making us sick’ – lawsuit against manufacturers

Source: Radio New Zealand

The lawsuit alleges the companies deliberately designed the foods to be addictive, in full knowledge they make people sick. File photo. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A US attorney who is suing some of the biggest food manufacturers is accusing them of deliberately designing products to be addictive – despite the harm they are known to cause.

David Chiu has brought a lawsuit against prominent ultra-processed food manufacturers, including Coca-Cola, Nestle, Kellog and Craft Heinz.

The lawsuit argues the US government is picking up the bill for the serious health consequences from their products, such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.

It also alleges the companies deliberately designed the foods to be addictive and marketed them to maximise profit, in full knowledge they make people sick.

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.

Chiu – a San Francisco city attorney – told Checkpoint studies showing the danger of these foods spurred on the legal action.

“The massive data sets that have come out that show that ultra-processed foods are making us sick, plain and simple.”

With products from all companies involved in the lawsuit also available in New Zealand, Chiu said it should be a worry here.

“Our case is about companies that have designed these foods to be addictive, marketed it to maximize profits, and like the tobacco industry years ago, they knew their products made people very sick, but they hid the product, hid the truth from the public.

“They’ve made untold billions. They’ve left taxpayers to clean up the mess.”

Chiu said the comparisons to the tobacco industry were more than just a coincidence, with some of the big tobacco companies buying out major food companies throughout the 1960s and 70s.

“Big tobacco literally transferred its people, its ideas, its technology around addiction science from the tobacco industry to this food industry, this ultra-processed food industry. And they used the big tobacco playbook to research, design, and market addictive products.”

While some argued that consumers had a choice when it came to what food they bought, Chiu said the industry’s massive reach had essentially removed that decision.

“The industry likes to say that consumers have choice. You can buy whatever you want, and if someone wants to buy Pringles or potato chips or crackers, that is up to them.

“The ultra-processed food industry has worked to create this illusion of choice, but they’re actually depriving consumers of choice. You don’t really have a choice when 70 percent of what you see in the supermarkets are ultra-processed foods.”

In the court documents, Chiu mapped the increase of chronic diseases against the growth in ultra-processed foods.

He said the link between the foods and diseases was clear.

“As the level and consumption of ultra-processed foods have risen, so have chronic diseases. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease, even depression, and this has been particularly alarming in children.

“We are seeing preventable diseases that no one has seen in kids, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

While companies may market their products as healthy, Chiu warned that consumers must be aware of what they were purchasing.

“There are well-known definitions of ultra-processed foods within the scientific community. And in California state law, our state legislature recently passed a definition of ultra-processed food, which is quite clear.

“We are talking about foods that are made-up of artificial ingredients that are created by combining these artificial chemicals with industrialized processes.”

Chiu said he was not aiming for a full ban of all ultra-processed foods, but wanted more accountability from the companies creating and selling them.

“What we want to ensure is a couple of things. One, that this industry is held accountable when it comes to deceptive practices and advertising. We need to have real transparency in what these products are.

“We have had as a society to pay for billions and billions and billions of dollars of healthcare for the diseases, the cancers, the obesity, the type 2 diabetes that so many folks are receiving.

“We believe that we should receive some restitution to pay for the health care costs that have come about through the actions and the knowing actions of this industry. “

He hoped that the lawsuit would be a first step in encouraging others to put pressure on the companies responsible.

“All of our reliance on ultra-processed foods is decades in the making. We can’t reverse it overnight, but we certainly can get some accountability and move this conversation forward.

“I also encourage others who care about this, whether they are in government or elsewhere, to hold this industry accountable.”

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