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Nurses and senior doctors’ bargaining stretches into second year

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf

Bargaining over pay and conditions has stretched into its second year for nurses and senior doctors, while bargaining for junior doctors is just beginning.

The collective agreement for senior doctors with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) expired in August, 2024.

Nurses, too, through the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), have been in bargaining for nearly as long, with their negotiations beginning in September 2024. Both unions have held strikes.

Health New Zealand confirmed that in 2025, three offers were made to senior doctors and two to nurses, which were all declined.

“We are continuing to work with ASMS and NZNO in good faith and have already held several bargaining dates in 2026 with more planned in the coming weeks,” said a HNZ spokesperson in a statement.

In September, [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/498384/employment-relations-authority-asked-to-step-in-over-senior-doctor-pay-dispute

Health NZ called for the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) to step in] and force doctors into a contract, saying the union had breached the obligations of good faith.

An employment law specialist told RNZ at the time it was an unprecedented move for the public sector.

In November, with the union against it, the ERA declined to step in, saying there was a high bar to meet and there had been no serious and sustained breaches of good faith.

“The parties are a distance apart but it is not unusual in bargaining for a lot of progress to be made in a short time, even after a long period of little progress,” said authority member Nicola Craig at the time.

ASMS chief executive Sarah Dalton told RNZ on Friday the gap between the parties was smaller than ever, but still not fully closed.

“I do believe the gap has been closing, and we’re not wildly far apart, but the most recent position they put to us – which was not a formal offer but a position – was still short of what our executive believes would be enough to take something back to our members.”

“I hope that we will settle sometime during the course of this year, but in order for that to happen, Health New Zealand needs to bring more to the table.”

It is an option that union members have during bargaining,” she said. “So potentially that could happen, [but] that is not our plan at the moment.”

One of the two junior doctors’ unions – Specialty Trainees of New Zealand (STONZ) – had just entered bargaining already, and the other – Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) – had begun pre-bargaining talks, with formal bargaining set to begin in June.

STONZ executive director Kate Clapperton-Rees told RNZ: “Our focus in these negotiations is on claims that recognise and value our Resident Medical Officers, and on securing improvements that will help attract and retain more doctors in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

NZRDA senior advocate Melissa Dobbyn said they were currently working through more than 200 pages of responses from members about issues and concerns.

“We will be looking at improving supports for RMOs during key transition points on the pathway from medical school to completing training as an SMO, including examinations, moving hospitals, and promotion from house office to registrar.”

A spokesperson for health minister Simeon Brown said in a statement: “The minister greatly values the senior and junior doctor workforce and looks forward to negotiations for both concluding.”

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40 student volunteers part of Banks Peninsula clean up crew

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bridge on Okuti Valley Road on Thursday. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The Student Volunteer Army (SVA) has deployed 40 volunteers from the University of Canterbury to help clean up Banks Peninsula.

A state of emergency was declared in the region on Tuesday, after it was hammered by nearly six times the average monthly rainfall in just 48 hours.

The request for volunteers came from Civil Defence on Friday night.

Despite the academic year beginning last Monday, SVA president Johann Torres was overwhelmed by how many signed up.

“We’ve only just come back to uni so it’s quite, you know, it’s nice that we have so many volunteers quite mobile straight away and very keen to help.”

Slips and trees down across a road in Wainui, Banks Peninsula on Tuesday. Lawrence Smith

The SVA will be working alongside other groups, such as Taskforce Kiwi, focusing on clearing silt from properties.

“We’re working quite closely with Civil Defence and some other volunteer groups like Taskforce [Kiwi] and we’ve essentially gotten a list of properties that we’re going to work on.

We’re focusing mainly on shovelling and wheel-barrowing silt from properties who have been affected by the quite recent flooding.”

Although State Highway 75 and telecommunications had been restored residents were still busy cleaning up the damage to homes and businesses.

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Surge in work-related concussions at Oranga Tamariki ‘ deeply concerning’, social workers body says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Concussions can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. (File photo) 123RF

The professional body for social workers says a surge in diagnosed work related concussions at Oranga Tamariki is deeply concerning.

Figures released to RNZ reveal the number of head injuries suffered by Oranga Tamariki staff while at work had increased by 80 percent in the past five years.

Oranga Tamariki said there were 157 work-related concussions between January 2021 and December 2025, suffered by 146 staff members.

It declined to reveal where those head injuries took place, citing privacy concerns.

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers chief executive Nathan Chong Nee said employers had an obligation to keep employees safe.

“We stand alongside our members, the complexity and risk in their mahi are increasing, and safety must be treated as non‑negotiable,” he said.

Chong Nee, who was a registered social worker, said he knew the reality of walking into volatile situations.

“Keeping tamariki and whānau safe starts with keeping the people who serve them safe.”

The association would be seeking assurance from Oranga Tamariki on what action would be taken, he said.

(File photo) RNZ

“We expect action that protects kaimahi and, in turn, the tamariki and whānau they serve.”

Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons said concussions suffered by Oranga Tamariki staff were a symptom of youth residences under too much pressure.

“The facilities are not fit for purpose, we have an unsafe staffing mix, double shifts are too common, and there are roster gaps. There’s a whole range of issues contributing to this and Oranga Tamariki needs to get to the bottom of what’s going on and stop it,” she said.

“Oranga Tamariki needs to look into all these factors and others to make sure that this aggression towards Oranga Tamariki workers stops.”

Oranga Tamariki said it took any injury sustained at work extremely seriously, and placed particular emphasis on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff following potential head injuries.

Deputy chief executive of people, culture and enabling services Nicholas Pole said its staff deserved to come to work every day and know they were safe, and any instances where that wasn’t happening was unacceptable.

“We are currently reviewing all concussion injury incidents and once that is complete, we will have a better understanding of what has led to this increase,” he said.

Pole said Oranga Tamariki had become more vigilant in the recording and monitoring of all injuries to staff, which could have led to an increase in recordings of concussions.

It was progressing a programme of work focused on strengthening how it prevented, identified, and supported head injuries in the workplace.

This would include improving reporting processes, guidance for leaders and staff, and ensuring wrap-around support to anyone who experienced such an injury, he said.

“Our Youth Justice Residences are an area where staff are at higher risk of a concussion due to the complex nature of the work and the dynamic environment, and they will be supported through the above programme of work.”

Pole said Oranga Tamariki also engaged a third-party health and injury-management provider.

“This provider proactively contacts any staff member who reports a head injury, regardless of whether an ACC claim is lodged. During this initial engagement, the staff member’s needs are assessed, and referrals made for specialist concussion services and wellbeing support, when required,” he said.

“Staff concerned about their safety at work are encouraged to speak with their manager and work with the Oranga Tamariki Health and Safety team to ensure they have what they need to undertake their roles in a safe manner.”

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Uncertainty likely to remain following US Supreme Court tariff ruling, Trade Minister says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Trade Minister Todd McClay said New Zealand exports had been holding up well overall in the US market since the original 15 percent tariff was imposed (file image). Nick Monro

Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay says considerable uncertainty is likely to remain with the latest moves in the US on tariffs.

The US Supreme Court ruled the sweeping tariffs US President Donald Trump imposed on nearly every country were illegal.

Trump has hit back, announcing a new 10 percent levy on global imports.

McClay said New Zealand exports have been holding up well overall in the US market since the original 15 percent tariff was imposed.

While any tariff reduction was welcomed, he did not believe the 15 percent charge was warranted, given American goods coming into New Zealand faced a tariff of just 0.3 percent, he said.

“Our embassy in Washington will engage with their counterparts to get more information so we can continue to work with exporters, however uncertainty around US tariff policy is likely to remain for an extended period of time.”

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Zaroa NZ salami products recalled after concerns over food safety controls

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A brand of salami is being recalled after being produced without the required food safety control and oversight.

The three Zaroa NZ-branded products being recalled are Pure, Delicaté Salami Pohutukawa Smoked, and Hawke’s Bay Black Angus Beef Chorizo Salami.

Supplied / MPI

Food Safety’s Vincent Arbuckle said dried and cured products must be carefully controlled as the manufacturing process does not involve a high-temperature cooking step that kills bacteria like salmonella and E.coli.

Where the products were sold:

  • Hesari Supermarket Great North Road: 344 Great North Road, Henderson
  • Hesari Supermarket Wairau Valley: Unit 15, 170 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley
  • Keri Berries: 484 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri
  • Pegasus Bay Winery: 263 Stockgrove Road, Waipara, RD 2 Amberley
  • Zaroa NZ stall: Parnell Farmers’ Market, 545 Parnell Road, Parnell
  • Zaroa NZ online store

Arbuckle urged people to return the products to the place of purchase for a refund.

The products have been removed from store shelves.

There have been no reports of associated illness.

If anyone has consumed any of these products and have any concerns about their health, they should seek medical advice.

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Nearly 7500 West Auckland homes affected by fibre outage

Source: Radio New Zealand

It is not expected to be restored until tomorrow. 123RF

The number of households affected by a fibre outage in West Auckland has climbed to nearly 7500.

The Chorus outage is impacting Te Atatū, Henderson, and Massey – with people unable to access the internet via their fibre connections since 5.30am on Saturday.

It is not expected to be restored until tomorrow.

The cause of the outage is unknown.

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NZ Breakers’ chance for silverware on the line

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mexican teenager Karim Lopez will play his final game for the Breakers on Sunday before going into the NBA draft. photosport

The New Zealand Breakers players won’t pocket all of the prize money from the Ignite Cup final.

Sunday’s finale of the inaugural in-season tournament between the Breakers and Adelaide 36ers ensures nobody leaves the Gold Coast empty-handed with the champions taking home A$300,000 and the runners-up A$100,000.

Prize money in the Australian NBL is unique to the Ignite Cup, and while pundits have debated how the prize money should be split, with suggestions it should all go to the players, the official line from the NBL is that 60 percent goes to the players directly and the remainder to the club.

Breakers president of basketball Dillon Boucher said the club would not be giving all the money to the players.

“Unfortunately anything that goes more than 60 percent to the players goes on your salary cap, so I think teams making smart decisions would probably not give it all to the players rather than incur some luxury tax by giving the players extra money.

“I think 60 percent is a fair amount to go to the players and obviously there is a lot of factors and a lot of people that are involved in making the team successful, so it’s only fair that they share in the success of the Ignite Cup profits.”

Not every player was focused on the cash.

Centre Sam Mennenga made an unexpected comeback from what was described as a season-ending wrist injury against the Cairns Taipans on Thursday night and will be available to play the 36ers in a boost for the Breakers and for the Tall Black who is looking off-season playing opportunities overseas.

“There is money on the line – I don’t really care about the money, but I’d rather us have the money than Adelaide have the money.”

The Breakers will tip off their final game of the season as underdogs.

After failing to make the post-season, by finishing seventh, the Breakers can still end an injury-hit rollercoaster of a season with a valuable victory but it will be against the odds.

For the majority of the Ignite Cup, played mid-week and with competition points for every quarter won, the Breakers were dominant. The Auckland-based club won the first three of their Cup games while losing games not played on Wednesdays with regularity.

The Breakers lost their fourth game of the Cup competition to finish second on the ladder behind the 36ers who also won three out of four games but edged the Breakers by winning an extra quarter for an additional competition point to qualify in top spot for the final.

While the Ignite Cup was where the Breakers shone, the 36ers are also sitting in second on the regular season table with a chance of winning a Championship and Cup double.

Adelaide beat the Breakers every time they met this season. Three wins, one in overtime, all by fewer than five points.

The Breakers and 36ers did not play against each other during the Ignite Cup. The two sides last met a week ago with the 36ers putting together a fourth-quarter comeback to win 92-89 on their home court in the regular season. The Breakers had the lead for 36 minutes of the 40 minute game and had an 18 point advantage at one stage before Adelaide got the win.

Mennenga missed that game as did Next StarKarim Lopez, who will both be back from injury for the crucial clash. Breakers coach Petteri Koponen also managed minutes in the Breakers’ last regular season game on Thursday to give the roster the best shot of being the first Ignite Cup winners.

Tai Webster and Izaiah Brockington will be game time decisions for Sunday after missing the Taipans game.

The final will be played in neutral territory, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, in a region that does not have an NBL team at the moment.

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Olympics: No medals for NZ, USA’s Alex Ferreira takes the win at men’s halfpipe finals

Source: Radio New Zealand

USA’s Alex Ferreira celebrates after winning the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. AFP/JEFF PACHOUD

USA’s Alex Ferreira celebrates after winning the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

There were no medals for New Zealand at the men’s freeski halfpipe final, USA’s Alex Ferreira taking home the gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

The final run ended with Ferreira in first place (93.75 points), Estonia’s Henry Sildaru (93.00) in second and Canada’s Brendan Mackay in third (91.00).

Canada’s Brendan Mackay reacts after competing in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final run 3 during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. AFP/JEFF PACHOUD

Canada’s Brendan Mackay reacts after competing in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final run 3 during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

New Zealand’s Ben Harrington was ninth.

Earlier Harrington had led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at ninth, dropping to 12th during the second run.

Making it to the finals was “an insane feeling”, he said.

“My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it.”

Fin Melville Ives fell during the second run, leaving him unconscious and stretchered off.

USA’s Nick Goepper came in fourth after he crashed on his final jump as he attempted a switch double cork misty flip – a never-before-done halfpipe trick – to land on the deck of the halfpipe.

“I have no regrets,” he said to the crowd. “I’m going to be 35 in four years,” as he looked ahead to another Olympic Games.

USA’s Nick Goepper falls while competing in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final run 3 during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. AFP/JEFF PACHOUD

USA’s Birk Irving finished in fifth and Britain’s Gus Kenworthy in sixth.

New Zealand has so far secured three medals in this year’s Games.

On Thursday, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the world’s most decorated Olympic snowboarder with her silver-medal run in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event.

Luca Harrington brought home bronze at the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle last week, after Sadowski-Synnott also claimed New Zealand’s first medal of the games, taking silver in the big air event.

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Woods equaliser bags point for Phoenix women against Victory

Source: Radio New Zealand

Makala Woods of the Wellington Phoenix runs ball back to half way after scoring. photosport

American striker Makala Woods has rescued a 1-1 draw for Wellington Phoenix away to Melbourne Victory, to keep the Kiwi club second on the A-League women’s standings.

Wood scored her fourth goal since joining the club as an injury replacement in January, finding the net in the 87th minute after the Victory had taken the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half.

It’s only the second time Wellington have left Melbourne with the sour taste of defeat, pleasing head coach Bev Priestman ahead of a three-week break.

“I’m delighted to pick up a point on the road,” Priestman said.

“We had a lot of chances that we should have put away and that’s a little bit of a learning for us, but with the tight turnaround, in that heat, and when you pick up a point late in the game…it always feels better than probably a draw from the beginning.

“Credit to Victory. I thought it was a very good performance from them. They really tested us.

“But I’m happy we got the point and probably this international break is much needed for the group.”

Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman Marty Melville / PHOTOSPORT

It’s Woods’ ninth goal contribution in just seven matches, with five assists to go with her four goals since joining the squad at the start of the year.

Priestman made two changes to the side which started last Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Central Coast, with Grace Jale and Emma Pijnenburg returning in place of Mackenzie Anthony and Daisy Brazendale.

The Victory were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after Wellington midfielder Jale was deemed to have fouled her opposite Sofia Sakalis. Rhianna Pollicina converted the spot kick, picking out the top left corner.

Woods drew the Phoenix level, controlling a defence-splitting pass from Pia Vlok and then shooting past Courtney Newbon and into the left hand corner. It came after a string of Wellington corners.

Seven Phoenix players will now head away on international duty.

Wellington will next play host to Brisbane Roar on 14 March.

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Watch: Ben Harrington heads to freeski halfpipe final, Fin Melville Ives takes brutal fall

Source: Radio New Zealand

  • Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final.
  • Fin Melville Ives is in a stable condition after a fall left him unconscious and saw him stretchered off the snow.
  • The finals are set down for 7.30am Saturday 21 February (NZ time).

Ben Harrington has qualified for the men’s freeski halfpipe final after a tense finish to the second run at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

A tough competition saw three out of the four New Zealand athletes lose a ski in at least one of their two runs. Each competitor is ranked by their best run, with only the top 12 of 25 progressing to the final.

Harrington led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at ninth. The 24-year-old dropped to 12th place during the second run, making for a nail-biting wait while all the other athletes finished competing.

Making it to the finals was “an insane feeling”, he said.

“My biggest goal was just to come out and land some runs. I had knee surgery just over a year ago, so it was a mission to get back here but we did it.”

Speaking into the cameras on the slopes, Harrington dedicated his second run to teammate Fin Melville Ives, who had his own final hopes dashed after a fall saw him stretchered off the snow.

“Hey Finski, this one’s for you, brother. Love you, let’s go skiing,” Harrington said.

New Zealand’s Ben Harrington reacts after competing in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe qualification during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, in Livigno, Italy. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Melville Ives was the first competitor to drop into the halfpipe but lost a ski in both runs, putting him at 24th. He was assessed by medics following the second, more serious fall and stretchered off the snow.

Following the event, the New Zealand Olympic Team provided an update on his condition on social media, saying he was “stable and positive”.

Head coach Tom Willmott said “he took a big hit”, revealing the 19-year-old had been knocked unconscious.

“He’s in great care, our team doctor’s with him, his mum’s with him, and he’s doing okay. He was knocked out, but he’s conscious right now, he’s talking and he’s doing okay. He’s getting full checks, scans, x-rays, all the rest of it, just to fully rule anything out,” Willmott said.

“We had qualifying postponed due to the snow yesterday [Friday NZT] so today was the day, it was big Friday. He was using qualies as a warm up to the main event tonight [the finals, Saturday morning NZT] and he was all in, going real big.

“Fine margins, he was pushing his limits. He’s going to be devastated, he’s going to be gutted, you know. But he will pick himself up and he’ll come back from this because he’s a bit of a warrior.”

Finley Melville Ives lies on the snow after crashing in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe qualification run 2. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Fellow Kiwis Gustav Legnavsky and Luke Harrold also failed to qualify, ranking 14th and 15th respectively.

Harrold’s first run saw him in contention for the finals after he placed 11th, but run two saw the 17-year-old lose a ski.

“It was a tough day out there,” he said. “Training went well but, unfortunately, I couldn’t put down the run I wanted to in the two runs. I just want to say thanks to everyone who supported me through my whole journey, it’s been pretty incredible. I couldn’t put it down today for you guys but I know I will eventually.”

Legnavsky, 20, also lost a ski on his first run, and a clean second run was not enough to lift him into the top 12.

“I’m pretty bummed … I have more, I know I have more.”

The event involves competitors performing a series of tricks while skiing down a semi-cylindrical slope.

The final was set down for 7.30am Saturday, 21 February (NZT).

Kiwi Nico Porteous won gold in the event at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

New Zealand has so far secured three medals in this year’s games.

On Thursday, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott became the world’s most decorated Olympic snowboarder with her silver-medal run in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event.

Luca Harrington brought home bronze at the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle last week, after Sadowski-Synnott also claimed New Zealand’s first medal of the games, taking silver in the big air event.

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