MIL-OSI Publisher – Page 223

By Irra Lee, Morning Report producer/reporter

File photo. Young people the most affected by rise in e-scooter injuries. RNZ / Dom Thomas

Newly-released ACC data shows claims for e-scooter injuries are on the rise, with children and young people among the most affected.

It’s prompted an ED doctor to call for helmets to be made compulsory while riding.

ACC figures provided to RNZ indicate that of all new claims involving an e-scooter from the start of 2026 to early February, about half are for people under the age of 25.

Between 2022 and 2024, about 40 percent of new e-scooter-related claims each year were for under 25s, rising to 47% in 2025.

Part of the rise is being driven by large increases in claims for 10- to 14-year-olds. The age group recorded 203 new e-scooter claims in 2022, tripling to 605 by 2025.

The figures show the number of new e-scooter injury claims for under 25s last year had risen 85 percent since 2022. For all age groups, new claims involving the scooters have climbed 55 percent in the same time period.

ACC said it relied on people’s own reports of their injuries for this data, and that it counted claims using the date it was registered rather than when the injury occurred. The data also didn’t describe the severity of injuries, how they occurred, and who was affected (for example, the e-scooter rider or a pedestrian).

RNZ has asked Health NZ for further details on the injuries.

Dr Stuart Dalziel, a paediatric emergency medicine specialist at Starship Hospital, told RNZ the numbers married up with what he’d been seeing.

When they turn up to ED, Dalziel said some people’s injuries could be “relatively easy to sort out”, though others could be debilitating if it affected the head or face.

“For a small number of people, these e-scooter injuries are life-threatening.”

ACC’s data shows soft tissue injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons – like sprains or bruises – are most common when it comes to e-scooter incidents. This is followed by lacerations and punctures, then fractures and dislocations.

Dalziel said New Zealand should consider making helmet use compulsory with e-scooters. Currently, they are only “strongly recommended”.

He also called for a public health campaign encouraging safe scooting – similar to messages for safe cycling – and separating scooters from other road users.

“Obviously, scooters can do damage to pedestrians when they’re going at 30 kilometres an hour, but also if you fall off your e-scooter into a car.”

National MP Catherine Wedd is leading a campaign to take e-scooters off footpaths and into dedicated bike lanes whenever possible, with changes expected by mid-2026.

Current NZ Transport Agency rules say they can be used on the footpath or the road, though not in designated cycle lanes that form part of the road.

The responsibility for safety was a balance between individuals’ responsibility and the rules the Government set, Dalziel said.

“If you think about cycling as an example, we actually have a lot more controls around cycling than we do around e-scootering. The controls that we actually have around cycling do not stop people enjoying their bikes and going out and riding their bikes on the road.

“So it makes common sense that we actually have those same compulsory safety messaging around e-scootering,” he said.

“With regards to the e-scootering companies, there are some companies that have helmets attached to the e-scooter. I think that really is a good example of what companies can do in order to improve the safety of these scooters, but not all companies do that.”

Dalziel said it was difficult to know why young people were increasingly over-represented in ACC’s e-scooter claim statistics.

“I think predominantly, the cause is probably that people are using them more – and this will be both people using the scooters you can rent, but also people buying these products,” he said.

“We saw a spike in injuries when e-scooters were introduced to the country in 2018. That settled quite dramatically with the lockdowns associated with Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021, and it’s steadily increased since then.”

ACC paid out almost $16 million for scooter-related injuries in 2025, an increase of about 10% on the year prior. Just over $1.2 million had been paid out in January 2026.

The cost of all road injury claims – which include active, private, and public modes of transport – was $766 million last year.

ACC said e-scooter riders could consider these tips:

If you’re new to e-scooters practice in a quiet place away from traffic and other people until you get to grips with them
If you’re pretty experienced, give the scooter you’re using a little test before travelling on it – is it as responsive as it should be, does it slow down/brake well etc.
Start slow and ease into it – they can go pretty fast/gain speed quickly
One person at a time
Wear a helmet

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

February 23, 2026

Northcote College students learning from home after sports pavilion caught fire

Source: Radio New Zealand

A fire destroyed the sport’s pavilion at Northcote College. Victoria Young

Students from the Auckland school that had its century-old, heritage listed sports pavilion gutted by fire are learning from home for the week.

The building at Northcote College was razed on Friday.

In a letter to parents, the school said it had been told to close by the Ministry of Education and specialist contractors.

“We are moving to online learning for the week of Monday 23 February to Friday 27 February for all students,” the school said.

Students should not come to school, it added.

A fire broke out at the Northcote College sports pavilion on 20 February 2026. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

There would be limited supervision given for students who could not stay home, but they would not be taught any lessons.

It also cautioned against “unhelpful” speculation about the fire’s cause, saying it was still under investigation.

Online learning would allow for the the safe demolition of the pavilion, its removal and clearing of the site, the school said.

“Property records show that there is asbestos (Class B) in some of the cladding around the base of the damaged building which will require appropriate management as it is removed,” the school had written to parents.

The fire at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore on 20 February 2026. Finn Blackwell

It also was not able to run heating, ventilation and air conditioning in its new K Block where half of its timetabled classes were.

“We have also been advised to keep all people off the fields and away from the gym and pool during the demolition and removal process.

“With these restrictions, online learning for the week is the safe and sensible option.”

Northcote College said air tests taken over the weekend for reassurance had all come back clear.

“Monitoring will continue this week,” it said.

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

February 23, 2026

‘Bullying’, ‘dracionian’ homeless move-on orders questioned

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo. RNZ / Luke McPake

An Auckland councillor is calling them draconian and heartless, the advocacy group for retailers doubts they will work long term, and a man on the streets says it’s bullying.

But the government says its move-on orders announced on Sunday are part of reclaiming main streets and town centres.

The orders target people as young as 14 and give Police powers to move on rough sleepers, disorderly people or beggars for up to 24 hours.

Breach an order, and it risks a fine of up to $2000 or three month jail term.

“We understand that in certain cities around New Zealand it is a significant problem,” Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said.

“There’s antisocial behaviour and a lot of drug taking and drinking, and it’s pretty unpleasant and it’s quite difficult for people to want to come into the city.”

She welcomes new tools for police, but doubts their long term usefulness.

“The problem we see with it is that if you move someone on, you’re moving them to just another area where they’ll be a problem for somebody else,” she said.

“The move-on orders are for 24 hours, they may just come back again the next day, the question is how many times will it take to move them on before we break the cycle and give relief to those businesses in that region and then it’ll be the same problem somewhere else.”

File photo. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young. Supplied

Young said without wider social support, Retail NZ didn’t believe they would make a difference in the long run.

“And we know that the police do a really great job and they are already stretched, and so it’s hard to know how this is a solution,” she said.

“It’s probably a break in the circuit… it’s how often do you have to break the circuit before you’ll change behaviours.”

Some people on Auckland’s streets who spoke with RNZ after the announcement also had doubts.

“It’s a bully tactic,” Kenneth Dahl said.

He’s 50, and has been on and off the streets since he was 18.

“It’s pushing people into a corner… and as for them moving us into accommodation, they’re forcing us to live in places we do not want to live,” he said.

“It’s a bully tactic right there.”

Dahl currently has provided motel accommodation.

“But I choose not to be there because as soon as I look out the window all I see is grey and white, there’s no greenery whatsoever, nothing, no vegetation or anything around, it’s not a home, it’s a cell or a prison cell.”

The streets, he said, were where he felt most at home.

Benny Ngata was with him in the central city and expected the orders to lead to more crime.

“And they’re trying to move them out of the town to make themselves look better or something… but when it comes to it, how about help those people to advance themselves and give them a place, because the government’s housing is lacking, that’s why people are on the street,” he said.

“And not only that, people who live on the street, those who have mental illnesses or with addictions, so then how about help them… not by kicking them away.

“Because at the end of the day, that’s going to cause more trouble,” he said.

Ngata said it would just end up costing the government money to put people in jail.

“So at the end of the day, the government is going to lose,” he said.

“If you want to be a government, work with the people… how about get off your fat arse and help them.”

Ngata was asked if help was there at the moment.

“No, there’s nothing there, that’s why people are sleeping on the streets, that’s why people are homeless, because the government doesn’t care.”

Auckland councillor Richard Hills posted on Facebook it was earlier government changes that had dramatically increased homelessness.

File photo. Auckland councillor Richard Hills. Alexia Russell

“These heartless, draconian ‘move on orders will not deliver positive outcomes for people, but they will make the Govt look tough in an election year,” he wrote.

Community Housing Aotearoa said Police were not equipped to assess what health support rough sleepers need.

Chief executive Paul Gilberd said it shouldn’t be the job of officers.

“Often these people are very unwell both physically and in terms of mental health and sometimes substance abuse, so I feel for the police being put in a very awkward situation where they’re being required to make these judgements and I think there’s a strong argument for much better coordination between services,” he said.

Wellington’s City Missioner Murray Edridge said the government earlier signalled any laws to move on rough sleepers would come with support.

“And we heard the Prime Minister early in this conversation say we wouldn’t just move people on and not do anything to help them,” he said.

“Well, I’m still waiting to see what the help is going to look like.”

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith’s office said it’s been made very clear police are expected to connect people given move-on orders with the support they may need.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Back in Auckland, Queen’s Arcade property manager Ian Wright said the orders put the icing on the cake after more security, policing and social support.

“I don’t see it as displacement of the problem, that’s not a solution, it’s very much about holding people to account, drawing a line in the sand and saying we’ve actually got a right to be here too, the people, our visitors, and we want it to be safe and secure and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

But Aaron Hendry, who works with at-risk young people, is worried about the orders applying to people as young as 14.

“The support structures are not in place to adequately respond to these children’s needs and so, look, it’s concerning to us, we are concerned around what is looking like a really clear streets to prison pipeline with the lack of resources invested in to ensure that people are looked after,” he said.

The orders will be part of an amendment to the Summary Offences Act, meaning it still has to go through the legislative process.

Paul Goldsmith said there would be a chance for the orders to be scrutinised, but the government also wanted to get them in place as soon as possible.

The National Homelessness Data Project last showed homelessness had more than doubled in Auckland in the year to September.

What the orders do

The government will amend the Summary Offences Act to give police the power to issue move-on orders to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour.
They will also apply to people who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, or displaying behaviour indicating an attempt to inhabit a public place.
The orders will require someone to leave for a specified time – up to 24 hours – and distance determined by the officer.
When the order is issued, the person will be warned it is an offence to breach it, unless they have a reasonable excuse for being there.
The penalty for a breach would be a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to three months imprisonment.

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

February 23, 2026

What is burnout? And do you have it?

Source: Radio New Zealand

You might not have performed at Auckland’s Spark Arena or have had a film made about your journey reclaiming te reo Māori, but you probably can relate to the idea of taking a break “for a wee while” or having “a cup of tea and a lie down”.

Those were the quaint plans suggested by award-winning singer-songwriter Marlon Williams this week when he announced a break from public life. The news follows a big year for Williams, who released what is arguably the most consequential album of his career in 2025, his first in te reo Māori. A documentary about the album’s creation was also released.

In his statement announcing the unknown length of rest, Williams spoke of the toll his work took on him.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The government has confirmed it will give police powers to issue move-on notices. Nick Monro

The government insists move-on orders are just one tool in the toolkit, as it seeks to curb anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in city and town centres across New Zealand.

Opposition parties have slammed the proposal, however, describing it as “cruel” and “despicable.”

The government has confirmed it will give police powers to issue move-on notices.

The notices will apply for disorderly or threatening behaviour, as well as for begging or rough sleeping.

It will be left to the individual officer to decide exactly how long the order lasts, with a limit of 24 hours, the distance the person needs to move away from, and what support the person needs, if any.

Officers will have to make it clear to the individual that a breach will be an offence, with maximum penalties of fines up to $2000, or up to three months imprisonment.

At the announcement, justice minister Paul Goldsmith insisted the government was not criminalising homelessness.

“What we’re criminalising is a refusal to follow a move-on order,” he said.

Justice minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Goldsmith said a ‘reasonable distance’ would mean different things in different parts of the country, and denied it would simply shift the problem elsewhere.

“If you’re told to move on and you go up the road and you start doing the same behaviours again, well then you’ll be subject to another move-on order until the message gets through that society doesn’t tolerate these activities.”

Police minister Mark Mitchell said police use discretion “thousands of times a week,” and there was a range of options available to them.

He said the move-on orders filled a “gap” in the police response.

Police minister Mark Mitchell. RNZ / Mark Papalii

“We’ve got something that will formalise it, that will actually hopefully get them engaging with those services and actually fix those issues, and at the same time we won’t have people living on our streets. I don’t think any fair-minded Kiwi in our country wants to see people out living on our streets.”

Mitchell said the “default setting” would be to work with someone, to try and find whether the solution was a health, mental health, or housing response.

But some simply did not want to listen to police.

“Many of the people that choose to come in and set up and live on the streets and cause the social problems that we see are also vulnerable themselves.”

Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said he had met with non-government organisations and government agencies across Auckland, as well as the council, to see what actions could be taken to improve safety.

Welcomed by business

Auckland’s central business association Heart of the City had lobbied for social and economic needs to be addressed, and while there had been improvements, anti-social behaviour continued to cause concern.

Its chief executive Viv Beck said she was pleased the government had “listened” in terms of bringing in additional police, a new downtown police station, a housing and outreach ‘action plan,’ and now the move-on orders.

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck. Supplied / HOTC

Beck said Auckland was an “aspirational city,” which meant ensuring people were housed and looked after.

“This is another, if you like, another tool in the kit to be able to ensure that we are really ready to capitalise on now, after ten years of disruption for a whole variety of reasons, that our city can actually grow, we can continue to attract investment, and that we’re aspirational so people are looked after if they’re in need but that it’s a really safe, welcoming place for everyone.”

Ian Wright, property manager of the Queen’s Arcade in downtown Auckland, said there was no use creating a “beautiful place” if it was unsafe outside.

He said the council and Heart of the City had started to bring in guards, and the government had allowed for more police on the beat, which had made a difference.

“We’re not where we need to be. But I think this is very much another key tool in the toolbox that will greatly facilitate the change process and just put the icing on the cake to where we’ve been,” he said.

Wright said it was mostly “recidivist offenders” engaging in intimidation, harassment, and general unsocial behaviour.

“We had a gentleman that was around living on the street on Commerce Street, around the corner. He was there for months, and he wouldn’t accept help, but now he’s accepted help, and he’s obviously been taken back into care and he’s getting the care he needs.

“So I don’t see it as displacement of the problem. That’s not a solution. It’s very much about holding people to account, drawing the line in the sand, and saying we’ve actually got a right to be here too. The people, the visitors, we want it to be safe and secure. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

‘Punch-down politics’ – opposition

Labour was concerned the policy would not just be a tool, but the go-to tool.

Deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the policy was cruel.

“This is another instance of the government oversimplifying a problem, trying to sweep it under the carpet, acting like it’s just a law and order issue, when the reality is it’s so much more complex than that,” she said.

Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni RNZ / Angus Dreaver

“The government need to be investing in mental health. They need to be building the homes that New Zealanders need. They need to be investing in addiction services. They need to be supporting and resourcing the social and health services that work with so many of the people that we’re seeing on our streets. They’re not doing any of that. Instead, they’re saying that they’re going to criminalise these people and then effectively saying that it will become the police’s responsibility.”

Goldsmith said the government had put additional resources into housing, with 300 extra spots for homeless people, and not all of them were being taken up.

The move-on orders, he said, were to deal with those who refused to take up that extra help.

Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick, said the policy was some of the most “despicable, bottom of the barrel, punch-down politics” she had seen from the government.

“You are not solving a problem if you are simply trying to move it out of sight and out of mind,” she said.

Green Party co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick. RNZ / Reece Baker

Frontline police she had spoken to had made it “pretty abundantly clear” they did not have the resources to solve the issues either.

“If the government wants to deal with the issue of homelessness, I have a very clear solution for them: provide housing and the necessary wrap-around support for people to be able to stay in that housing. Unfortunately, the government has decided to do the complete opposite of that, shredding the necessary resources for our communities to thrive.”

Advocate fears ‘street-to-prison pipeline’

Aaron Hendry, director of youth development organisation Kick Back, was particularly concerned the orders could be used on people as young as 14.

His organisation worked with tamariki as young as 9 who were experiencing homelessness, often coming from complex situations where their whole family needed support.

“The idea that police will just be moving children on without intensively providing support to these kids is really concerning,” he said.

“We are concerned around what is looking like a really clear street-to-prison pipeline, with the lack of resources invested to ensure that people are looked after.”

He said social service providers had made it clear to ministers that the resources were not there, and that the move-on orders would not solve the problem and could cause more harm.

“Whānau that are sleeping rough in the city centre are often reaching out to Work and Income for support, being denied support, and as a result are ending up on our streets. That’s a real clear decision the government’s making to criminalise whānau for experiencing homelessness, as a consequence of the decisions they have made to restrict access to shelter and support.”

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

Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

E-scooter injuries on the rise, young people most affected

Northcote College students learning from home after sports pavilion caught fire

‘Bullying’, ‘dracionian’ homeless move-on orders questioned

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Could you be working on unrealistic life goals?

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What causes burnout, and why is it so common?

I’m burnt out. What should I do?

What about small business owners or sole traders?

Could you be working on unrealistic life goals?

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Government defends homeless move on orders as opposition slams them for being ‘cruel’

Welcomed by business

‘Punch-down politics’ – opposition

Advocate fears ‘street-to-prison pipeline’

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