Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Changes proposed for deemed value of fish

Source: New Zealand Government

Changes to the system that values fish caught by commercial fishers outside their quota allowance will better reflect the actual value of the fish depending on how its landed, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

Under the system, commercial fishers who catch fish outside of their quota allowance can sell it but must pay a fee called deemed value.

These fees are generally based on the market value of the fish, taking into account sustainability and utilisation objectives for each stock. The system is designed to ensure all fish are landed and accounted for under the quota management system (QMS), and fishers do not catch more than what is sustainable.

“During consultation on wider fisheries reforms, I heard feedback that the one-size-fits-all approach to setting deemed values for fish stocks is not working for some of our most productive commercial fishers.

“To ensure a future-focused, flexible fisheries management system, changes to the way deemed values can be set will be included in the Fisheries Act Amendment Bill,” Mr Jones says.

Under the current rules, the same deemed value rate for a fish stock must be applied to all commercial fishers.

“This means that a standard deemed value disadvantages some fishers because of differences in the value of fish based on whether they are landed fresh or frozen.”

Inshore stocks are mostly caught by smaller vessels operating around the coastline. They land the fish fresh, which receives a premium price. For these stocks, the deemed value rates are based on the average market price received for fresh fish.

“However, we are seeing a small but increasing volume of inshore fish being taken as bycatch in deepwater areas by vessels which must freeze their catch because of long fishing trips. This process significantly reduces its market value but fishers must still pay a deemed value close to the much higher market rate for fresh fish. 

“The growing number and wider distribution of these inshore species makes their capture by deepwater freezer vessels more common which can have significant financial impact on these fishers,” Mr Jones says.

“This change will allow the setting of deemed value rates based on the actual value of the caught fish through alternative rates set for inshore stocks caught by deepwater freezer vessels.”

Mr Jones has also decided not go ahead with a proposal for commercial fishers to land marlin bycatch.

“As part of wider fisheries reforms, officials tested a proposal to allow for commercial fishers to land and sell marlin under strict conditions. At present, this is prohibited. 

“However, after weighing up the issue as well as the benefits, I have decided not to allow commercial fishers to retain and sell any bycatch of marlin,” Mr Jones says.

He is awaiting advice on the treatment of a number of other species.

The Fisheries Act Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament in early 2026. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the bill during the select committee process. 

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Person critically wounded in shooting in Auckland’s Onehunga

Source: Radio New Zealand

Armed police were in the area of Arthur St and had cordoned off part of the busy road. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

A person has been left with life-threatening injuries after reportedly being shot in Auckland’s Onehunga.

A police spokesperson confirmed armed police were in the area of Arthur St and had cordoned off part of the busy road.

Do you know more? Get in touch at: iwitness@rnz.co.nz

Police said they received reports a person had received injuries consistent with a gunshot wound at a property shortly after 11am.

St John said they transported one person to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition.

Armed police were in the area of Arthur St and had cordoned off part of the busy road. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

An increased police presence will remain in the area while an investigation is underway.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police.

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

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Don McGlashan doesn’t feel like ‘a colourful enough specimen’ for new doco

Source: Radio New Zealand

Legendary New Zealand singer and songwriter Don McGlashan reckons there are far more interesting people than him to focus a documentary on.

“I do feel that I’m not kind of a colourful enough specimen to go under the microscope, there’s other specimens out there that might be more interesting to look at,” McGlashan tells RNZ’s On the Air.

Despite that, he had been approached half a dozen times to do a story on his life, but nothing ever came to fruition.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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

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Six60 have a new album: ‘For sure the best songs we’ve written’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Eighteen years after their debut, New Zealand band Six60 reckon their new album is their best work ever.

On Right Here Right Now, which drops next month, the band rediscover the “beautiful naivety” they had as music-loving flatmates at Otago University, say frontman Matiu Walters and guitarist Ji Fraser.

“I just feel like we’re in our prime and we’ve learnt so much,” Walters tells RNZ’s Summer Times.

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

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Weather: Lightning strikes around Taranaki Maunga

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wild weather around Taranaki, 15 Janaury 2026. Marios Wheeler / supplied

Coastal Taranaki residents and visitors were treated to an impressive lightning show on Thursday night as thunderstorms crossed the country.

Keen photographer Marios Wheeler, who shared videos on the Extreme Weather Taranaki and NZ Storm Chasers Facebook pages said he had never seen anything like it.

A visitor from Kapiti, he said the skies on the Opunake side of Taranaki Maunga were clear, and lightning strikes from the Stratford side of the mountain were lighting up the volcano in a dramatic fashion.

Teenager Kayen Price also shared video from Opunake. He said Taranaki was backlit by dozens of lightning strikes from about midnight through to 1am.

Dana McMurray – who was helping repair electrical faults caused by the storm on Friday – also shared video of the phenomenon.

MetService said thunderstorms on Friday were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.

Thursday’s wild weather included a number of tornadoes across the North Island.

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

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Former All Black Craig Dowd deplores Scott Robertson’s sacking

Source: Radio New Zealand

Craig Dowd, pictured as North Harbour’s head coach in 2009, says Scott Robertson is now “collateral damage”. Photosport / Anthony Au-Yeung

A former All Black has called the public leaking of the internal review into Scott Robertson’s All Black side “horrific”.

Robertson was unceremoniously sacked on Thursday afternoon as head coach of the All Blacks after just two years at the helm.

The NZ Herald reported the “scathing” post-season review outlined dissatisfaction among senior players and members of the wider management of the squad around the All Blacks’ coaching, culture and environment.

A veteran of 60 tests, Craig Dowd said the leak was a sad indictment on the players.

Craig Dowd says Scott Robertson has become “collateral damage” as a result of player power. ALAN_LEE

“There’s been a lot of mistrust going on somewhere. There’s absolutely no winner the way this has all panned out.

“I’m really disappointed that the review has made its way to the media. That should be done under the cloak of silence and when it gets out and open for public scrutiny, it’s horrific.”

Dowd said he was “gutted” for Robertson, and condemned the current players for not standing by him.

“If there’s a problem, senior players have a right to go to the powers at be, and that relationship is a two-way street. That’s what the culture of the All Blacks is about.

“It’s about working together because not everyone on the team is going to like each other. Big deal. Get over it. The sole purpose is that silver fern on your chest. Bitching and griping and carrying on like little kids is just pathetic.”

Craig Dowd has lashed out at current members of the All Blacks squad in the wake of Scott Robertson’s firing. AFP

However, NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk disputes that the decision was driven by player power.

“It’s the mature and appropriate listening to players who in the end are the people who have to deliver on the field for us and they need to have coaching and an environment set up in a way which helps them perform on the field.”

Speculation has been rife that superstar Ardie Savea was not willing to return to the All Blacks with Robertson in charge, another rumour that Kirk quashed.

“It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something. Not at all. He expressed public opinions, some of those opinions were not agreed to by other players. Some of them would have been, but all of the players are individuals.”

Dowd, though, felt there was a sense of revolt.

“I think the hand was forced because it (the review) did make its way out there and that speculation never goes away. Poor old ‘Razor’ is just collateral damage for something that should never have happened in the first place.”

No interest in ABs’ role

Dowd, who has coached both in Aotearoa and England, said the traditionally coveted job was not one he would be interested in right now.

“Finding a replacement is not going to be easy because really, the likes of Jamie Joseph and others, do they want the job? You haven’t gone in on your own terms. You’ve gone in to plug holes on a ship. There are a couple of names you can throw out there that could do it, but good luck to them.”

Dowd said he has been in contact with Robertson and was confident his coaching career would endure.

“I’ve sent him a text telling him to keep his head up and not listen to the naysayers. He’s got to where he has on his own merit.

“He’s a quality coach. He’s got a proven track record. It’s not the end of Razor. I think the last coach that went out on similar terms was a guy called Wayne Smith. And where is he now?”

Craig Dowd, far right, said he was gutted for Scott Robertson, and condemned the current players for not standing by him. Andrew Cornaga

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

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Person critically hurt after reports of gunfire in Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A person is in a critical condition after reports of gunfire in Auckland’s Onehunga.

A police spokesperson confirmed armed police were in the area of Arthur St and had cordoned off part of the busy road.

Hato Hone St John told RNZ they were called to the scene shortly after 11am on Friday.

A spokesperson said one person was transported to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition.

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

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NZ accepts Vice Chair role at upcoming World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference

Source: New Zealand Government

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has been appointed Vice Chair for the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Trade Negotiation Conference, for a second consecutive time following his role at MC13 in Abu Dhabi two years ago.

The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) will be held from 26-29 March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

“I am honoured to once again accept this nomination from WTO members, which underscores New Zealand’s enduring commitment to the multilateral trading system,” Mr McClay says.

Mr McClay will depart for Switzerland next week for WTO ministerial preparatory meetings, FIT Partnership discussions, and bilateral engagements with key trade partners to advance New Zealand’s priorities ahead of MC14.

“The WTO and its rules remain vital for New Zealand as a small, open economy, providing certainty for our exporters on the global stage,” Mr McClay says.

“As Vice Chair, I will work closely with the host Chair and members to help deliver a successful conference, with a strong focus on advancing better outcomes for agricultural exporters, concluding fisheries subsidies reforms, the WTO E-commerce moratorium and strengthening the WTO’s dispute settlement process.”

New Zealand is one of three Vice Chairs, alongside Jamaica and the Philippines.

Ministerial conferences are the highest decision-making body of the World Trade Organisation.

“These meetings are an important opportunity to strengthen relationships and advance initiatives that deliver real benefits for our exporters and economy,” Mr McClay says.

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Manufacturing activity hits four-year high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf

  • Manufacturing activity leaps 4.4 points to 56.1 – above 50 is expansion.
  • Highest level of activity since December 2021.
  • All five sub-indexes are in expansion – including employment.
  • BNZ sees upside risks to Q4 GDP.

Manufacturing activity leapt higher in December to its best reading in four-years, reinforcing expectations of a continued economic recovery.

The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) surged by 4.4 points to 56.1 – its best reading in four years.

It was the strongest manufacturing activity since December 2021, and comfortably above the long‑term survey average of 52.5.

A reading above 50 indicated the sector was expanding.

BusinessNZ’s director of advocacy Catherine Beard said it was a welcome way to finish 2025, noting that eight of the past 12 months showed some level of expansion.

“All five sub-index values were in expansion during December,” she said. “This was led by new orders (59.8), which was at its highest level of activity since July 2021.”

“Production (57.4) also showed a significant lift in activity, while employment (53.8) continued to recover after a number of months exhibiting declines during 2025.”

The proportion of positive comments about the future lifted to 57.1 percent, with seasonal Christmas demand, stronger export activity, and increased forward orders helping drive the gains.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel described the result as a “ripsnorter”.

He said the latest figures reinforced BNZ’s view that the economic recovery actually began in the final months of the second quarter last year.

Steel noted that all the sub index readings were now running above average.

He said there was more to the economy than just one survey, but taken together with other recent data, the economic recovery was gathering momentum, and BNZ saw upside risks to its fourth quarter economic growth forecasts.

“It’s not out of the blue – we did expect some growth, but this is suggesting it’s coming through with a bit of gusto,” Steel said.

“At face value, it suggests upside risk to the positive view we already have for manufacturing and near-term GDP growth forecasts.”

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

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Serious incident, Onehunga

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Jason Homan:

Police are responding to a serious incident in Onehunga.

Shortly after 11am Police received reports a person had received injuries consistent with a gunshot wound at a property on Arthur Street.

One person has been transported to hospital in a critical condition.

An increased Police presence will remain in the area while enquiries are underway.

Anyone with any information is asked to please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and use the reference number P065151258.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police