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February 21, 2026

Soaring bills put households’ spending on ice

File photo. 123RF

Households spending more than a third more on utility bills than they did a year ago do not have much money left for fun stuff, Kiwibank economists say.

They have released new spending data, which shows a tough end to the year for shops, particularly fashion retail.

“We typically see spending ramp up into the summer holidays,” economist Sabrina Delgado said.

“But our Kiwibank electronic card data showed this effect was less pronounced this time around. The silly season kicked off on a good note with the number of transactions in December up 0.4 percent on last year’s levels. But it seems consumer spending got hit with a bad new year’s hangover in January. The number of transactions in January dropped 2.7 percent below the overall 2025 monthly average. And compared to last January, transaction volumes were down 2.3 percent.”

The total amount spent was up 8.6 percent in December and 3.7 percent in January, which indicated people were shopping less but spending more.

The January data in particular showed that was because of higher prices, she said.

“Inflation has picked up over the past year, and many households are still feeling the squeeze after several years of tight budgets, elevated consumer prices, and expensive credit. So it’s no surprise we’re still seeing fewer shopping trips with more spent per trip.”

She said although interest rates were “significantly lower” than the year before, household budgets were still under pressure because the cost of essentials was rising.

They were spending 36 percent more on utilities across December and January than a year earlier.

“That’s taking a big chunk out of disposable incomes. It means that we have less to spend in other areas because utilities are essentials. We have to pay them.”

She said it was hitting clothing shops particularly hard, and spending on apparel seemed to be in persistent decline.

The data indicated that more of the same was happening in February, she said.

“Looking at the early data we have for February, which runs to just after Waitangi weekend, transaction volumes are currently tracking about 4.3 percent lower than this time last year. That suggests that the same kind of soft consumption we saw through January may be lingering into February. While this may be the case, we’ll flag that it may be too soon to draw firm conclusions for February. There’s still plenty of the month left, and a late-month pickup could shift the final outcome significantly.”

People seemed to be going out to dinner more but spending less at cafes, she said.

“We frequented our local coffee and brunch spots less than last year. And higher food prices seem to be hitting here the most. Because while the number of café visits has dropped, the dollars spent have instead risen. Compared with last summer, café spending is up almost 9 percent, meaning each visit is costing noticeably more. So for now it seems were gritting our teeth through our homemade instant coffees instead.”

Takeaway spending was also on a steady slide.

Demand for housing-related goods was strengthening. Trips to hardware stores were up 6 percent year-on-year in December and dollars spent were up just over 30 percent.

“Overall the lift in housing-related spend offers an encouraging sign for the housing market. The need for a fresh lick of paint or new furniture is often suggestive of increased housing market turnover. To us, the data signals that households are getting ready for a better year for the housing market. And we expect it will be with interest rates in their low ranges. “

Delgado said households were still worried about the labour market, which made people nervous about spending.

“Unemployment is at 5.4 percent. Even though we’ve seen the underlying details in the labour market showing some signs of strengthening, the average household only looks at that headline unemployment rate.

“If they see that that’s rising, that job insecurity weighs on that confidence to be splurging a bit more right now.”

She said it was also significant that the housing market was still soft because a lot of wealth was tied up in it.

“In our view, though, we do still see the rest of this year to be a recovery for consumption because as the broader economy is recovering, things like the labour market will improve. The housing market also is going to improve. And that should give a bit more confidence to households and their spending this year.”

She said any interest rate rises should still be left for 2027.

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

February 21, 2026

‘It’s a strange place’ – The Beths’ singer Liz Stokes on US tour

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lead singer Liz Stokes tells RNZ’s Afternoons, she’s pleased to be back in Aotearoa, and excited to perform their fourth album Straight Line Was A Lie, to family and friends.

The band recently wrapped up an epic 70-show run which saw them travelling around the United States in a bus with 12 “coffin-sized beds” to enjoy, Stokes says.

“[The US] it’s a strange place… it’s a hard place at the moment… we’re seeing it as tourists where we go from music venue to music venue which are spaces where you know, it’s lovely people who are just wanting to support the culture…

“But obviously there is a lot of ugliness there, but we don’t see it…”

“When it got taken off the air we were like ‘never mind’, but when it was brought back it came through too.”

Stokes says it was cool being able to see the “movie magic” behind the scenes.

Actress Tessa Thompson was on the show the same night, Stokes says, but the band was shot earlier in the day before her or the audience came in.

The band performed the title track from their latest album Straight Line Was A Lie, an album Stokes says encapsulated a lot of her life over the last few years.

“I’ve been going through some big emotional and health journeys over the last few years and it’s really put all of that into the music that I’ve made… a lot of my life encapsulated in this album, like a horcrux or something.”

“I have a tendency to overshare, but it feels better to talk about it than be vague about it.”

She says she’s looking forward to finally doing a New Zealand tour.

“We’ve played this album now so much, but haven’t played it to New Zealand yet.”

But first, The Beths will be heading off to Japan on Monday, playing a sold-out show in Tokyo and another in Osaka.

“There’s definitely a big guitar music and alternative music scene in Japan.

“People there still buy CDs which is really lovely. “

The Beths will be playing shows throughout Aotearoa from 13-28 March.

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

February 21, 2026

Talking to kids about dog attacks – without scaring them

Source: Radio New Zealand

After the recent tragic fatal dog attack in Northland, it’s understandable that parents, caregivers and dog owners may feel shaken.

The latest incident marks the fourth fatal dog attack in four years — three of those in Northland. Data analysed from the Department of Internal Affairs by MoneyHub shows ACC claims for dog bites have risen 20 percent since 2020, reaching more than 15,000 claims in a year. Nationwide, more than 9000 dogs are classified as menacing and 573 as dangerous, the financial hub said.

Those numbers can sound alarming. But animal behaviourist Mark Vette, who has worked with dogs for 50 years, says it’s important to keep perspective.

Animal behaviourist, trainer, educator and author Mark Vette.

Supplied

.

“The reason we have dogs in our community and our society is that they’ve co-evolved with us for 40,000 years,” he says. “They’ve got the most subtle and social response to humans of any species.”

That said, responsibility to ensure dog safety sits squarely with owners.

“The first responsibility of the owner is to know if their dog is showing threat signs, particularly so to kids, but to any people and or other pets or animals,” Vette says.

That includes signs of predatory behaviour, chasing, or heightened arousal, particularly when multiple dogs are together. Predatory behaviour can make children be perceived as prey, he says.

Dog owners need to take note of predatory behaviour and talk to a professional because behavioural issues can be treated well when dogs are young, Mark Vette says (File image)

Unsplash / Pete Godfrey

So how do we talk to kids about it?

SPCA senior science officer Alison Vaughan says instead of vague warnings like “be careful”, which may cause more anxiety, give children simple behavioural rules:

Don’t disturb a dog when it’s eating or sleeping.
Don’t hug dogs.
Always ask before patting a dog (and check with owner on the best place to do so).

Importantly, bites can happen in familiar settings — at home, with known dogs — during everyday interactions like hugging, climbing into a dog’s bed, or getting too close to their face, Vaughan says.

Tell your children not to disturb a dog when it’s eating. (file image)

Unsplash / Getty Images

“For kids, really important when we’re teaching them, [it is] less about spotting overt aggression and more about recognising signs that you should leave a dog alone and spotting signs they might be uncomfortable with an interaction.”

And supervision is non-negotiable, even with the family pet, she adds.

What if they want to pet a dog?

Vette says children should:

Always ask the owner before approaching – if they’re not around, don’t
Avoid staring directly at a dog
Never hug a dog around the neck, cheek or shoulders
Avoid standing over the top of a dog

It’s best to pet a dog under the chin or on the chest, Vette says. (file image)

Unsplash / Curated Lifestyle

If they do have permission to pat a dog, it’s safest under the chin or on the chest — not over the head or back.

SPCA says when you do pat a dog, use gentle, calm strokes that go in the same direction as their fur.

What if they want to avoid a dog

There are several reasons why a person may not want a dog around, Vaughan says, such as cleanliness or the dog being too excited.

Billy Douglas, founder of Lil Luka Dog Walks on Auckland’s North Shore and in Whanganui, says she’s seen how parents’ own fear of dogs can unintentionally rub off on their children too.

“For me, I’ve just never pushed. If a child is clearly very fearful of a dog, I’ve always just made sure that we walk [away],” she says, adding they predominantly keep dogs on a leash.

Billy Douglas, founder of Lil Luka Dog Walks, says it’s important dog owners are mindful that not everyone loves dogs and to give people respect in shared spaces,

Supplied

Give space and acknowledge the child’s feelings rather than dismissing them, Douglas says.

Vette says if a child feels uncomfortable, teach them to:

Stand still
Keep arms tucked in
Look slightly away
Slowly turn their body to the side
Move away calmly

“The more calm you can be, the better the dog’s going to respond to you,” Vette says.

Douglas agrees. Dogs can pick up on nervous energy so squealing or running is a bad idea.

“It’s when little ones start breaking down and they start sort of dropping to the ground or really becoming visibly upset [or run away] … some dogs can see that as a vulnerable situation, and they start barking or reacting.”

What are the red flags?

Vette has spent years teaching children how to read dog behaviour. He says owners can sometimes dismiss warning signs because they’re emotionally attached to their dog.

SPCA’s website (kids.spcaeducation.org.nz) contains more information about what each dog behaviour might entail.

SPCA

Things to watch for include:

Staring fixedly at a person, or eyes fixed and pupils dilated
Ears tilted forward or back into the head
Standing up tall (or crouched with weight back when defensive)
Tail up (but can be curled down when defensive)
A tense muzzle and snarling
Raised hackles

And don’t assume a wagging tail means a happy dog, he says. It can also signal heightened arousal.

Why bites might happen

Many aggressive incidents, Vette says, happen when a dog feels its territory is threatened. In fact, most bites occur within about 80 metres of a dog’s home, he says.

The more serious, though rarer, cases tend to involve multiple dogs in a pack-like state of high arousal, Vette says. That can be the case especially in rural or semi-rural areas where dogs may be less socialised and more protective of their territory.

For example, dogs that regularly run fences barking at passersby are already displaying a red flag. If a gate is left open and they chase a cyclist or runner, the situation can escalate quickly.

“For dog control, that should be a zero tolerance situation,” Vette says.

Sharing public spaces respectfully

Billy Douglas says keeping dogs on a leash or within a 10m circumference of you and trained on command is important.

Supplied

In Auckland, council rules require dogs to be on leash in council-controlled places where they are permitted, including footpaths, unless signage says otherwise.

Douglas says respectful shared use of parks and beaches is essential. She stopped going to one beach after suffering abuse when she gently asked dog owners to keep their pets close by.

“Milford Beach is not a doggy daycare. Neither is Browns Bay or any public space. It is a shared public space.

“They must be under control when off leash, and when I’m talking under control, I’m not talking 100 metres up the beach, I’m talking 10 metres in front of or around a circumference and no more. We’re not playing chuck-a-ball amongst everybody or around other dogs. We go and find a quiet spot.”

She’s heard numerous stories of dog-on-dog attacks over her 11 years in business, including dogs being rushed by others that jumped out of cars or bitten at the beach.

Dog owners need to be mindful fellow pets may be recovering from injury, in training, still learning to socialise or rehabilitating from previous trauma, but having a child or another dog suddenly rush up to them can be detrimental, she says.

Not everyone loves dogs and not every dog wants to socialise, but everyone deserves to feel safe, she says.

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

February 21, 2026

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand’s Finley Melville Ives is evacuated by a medical team in the freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe qualification run 2 during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

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 9th. 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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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

February 21, 2026

The great Australian rivalry, in New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Blues’ Zac Lomax (R) and Maroons’ Kalyn Ponga contest a high-ball during game two of the men’s State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Optus Stadium in Perth on June 18, 2025. COLIN MURTY / AFP

Mate against mate, state against state – but exported. Why Auckland will host Australian rugby league’s premier event next year.

After months of speculation, the government has confirmed a State of Origin match will make its way across the ditch to Eden Park in 2027.

Tāmaki Makaurau will be considered neutral ground in 2027 as the Maroons take on the Blues at Eden Park for what is widely acknowledged to be rugby league’s most exciting fixture.

Today on The Detail, NZ Herald journalist and host of The Big League podcast, Nathan Limm talks about the motivation behind the NRL’s move to host an Australian regional game in another country.

“There’s obviously a little bit of ‘why is New Zealand getting it?’ [coming from Australians], which is actually similar to the kind of response that it had on this side of the Tasman as well.”

But he says despite all the commentary, the announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“The NRL has made it clear for a number of years that they want to expand the game.”

The match is expected to be a sellout, with officials estimating that the event will inject $17.4 million into the economy. It was announced by the Prime Minister, who said the government had reached into its major events fund to secure the match. That amount is thought to range between $2.5 million and $5m.

New Zealand fans have long been engaged in the State of Origin, but kiwis have more of a reason to cheer their side on with the recent change in eligibility rules.

“We should have more kiwis, more New Zealand players, who have that affiliation with New South Wales or Queensland playing in State of Origin,” says Limm.

Previously players could be ruled out if they used their New Zealand connections to play at an international level for the Kiwis, but that’s been changed, so our players with childhood links to either of the states can play.

For example former national rep Addin Fonua-Blake, who has played for New Zealand and Tonga, is now eligible for New South Wales as well.

The NRL is also making concentrated efforts to grow the game internationally, and is staging part of the first round of this year’s NRL in Las Vegas.

Limm also talks on the podcast about those moves to expand the game, with new teams entering the NRL from Perth (from next year) and Papua New Guinea (2028), as well as the prospect of a South Island team signing up.

Part of the decision to come to Auckland was fed by support for the Warriors, the only team in the NRL currently to have an entire nation behind it.

And the podcast asks the age-old Warriors question – “is it our year?”

Well … maybe.

Coach Andrew Webster “has been able to completely… overhaul and reset the culture of the team, which is ultimately where it all starts, and that has impacted their on-field performances,” says Limm.

Despite the Warriors and rugby league as a sport becoming more popular in New Zealand, there is still one team they can’t compete with.

“There’s one thing that rugby has that no other sport in New Zealand will ever quite get, and that’s the All Blacks and the pull that the All Blacks hold.

“Regardless of what’s going on in domestic rugby or super rugby, when the All Blacks play, we as a nation get around them and really identify with that team,” says Limm.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

February 21, 2026

Service held for Northland woman Mihiata Te Rore, killed by a pack of dogs in Kaihu

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was killed by dogs at a Kaihu property. Supplied

A service for the women killed by a pack of dogs in Northland is being held on Saturday.

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was killed while visiting a property in the rural town of Kaihu, north of Dargaville.

Police said the three dogs involved lived at the property.

She was the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, sparking calls for more to be done by local and central government to deal with the growing problem.

In a post on social media, Te Rore was described as someone who lived with courage and conviction, and stood up for those she loved.

“Her presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her,” the post said.

“A fierce and loving woman, she was the unwavering strength of our whānau and the steady light in our lives. Her love was powerful, protective, and unconditional.”

Meanwhile, police said were continuing to investigate, but no charges had been laid.

Council visited property before fatal attack

In a statement, Kaipara District Council said there had been four complaints about the dogs in November, December and last week, and had responded to each request on the same day.

Staff visited the property to uplift the dogs the day prior to the attack, but were unsuccessful.

“Staff visited the property on multiple occasions to attempt to speak to the owner, including reaching out to family and iwi liaison. When the dogs were seen they were on the property.

“In December staff managed to speak with the owner about compliance and keeping the dogs secure, including consequences if this did not occur. In February they visited the property twice, including the day before, but were unable to talk to the owner or uplift the dogs.”

The council said there had also been “multiple” proactive patrols in the area, looking for any loose dogs, including a door knock of every property along Kaihu Wood Rd (no loose dogs were sighted during these patrols).

“Dog owners are responsible for their dogs – they have a legal responsibility to look after and control their animals but we also acknowledge that council’s animal control plays an important role in managing risks in the community.

“Our staff work with dog owners across the district every single day and are devastated that any such incident, in this case on private property, has occurred in Kaipara.”

It said its animal management team was investigating the incident.

“The three dogs were secured after the event and have been impounded, and will be destroyed as soon as police have finished their investigation.”

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

February 21, 2026

Olympics: Ben Harrington qualifies for freestyle skiing men’s freeski halfpipe final

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ben Harrington has qualified for the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe final after a tense finish to the second run at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

Harrington led the Kiwi contingent after a clean first run saw him sitting at 9th. He dropped to 12th place during the second run, meaning a nervous wait for all the other athletes to finish competing, with only the top 12 progressing to the final.

Knowing he had made 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, 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.

“Finski, that was for you, brother,” Harrington said.

Melville Ives was the first competitor to drop into the halfpipe but lost a ski in both runs, putting him at 24th.

The New Zealand Olympic Team provided an update on his condition in a social media post shortly after the event.

“Fin is with his family and being assessed by medical professionals. He is stable and positive.”

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 him lose a ski.

Legnavsky 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.

New Zealand’s Nico Porteous won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

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

February 20, 2026

As it happened: NZ Warriors v Dolphins NRL pre-season trial

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dallin Watene-Zelzniak scores an acrobatic try for the Warriors against the Dolphins. David Neilson/Photosport

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored two tries, as NZ Warriors let a pre-season win over Dolphins slip through their fingers in the dying moments.

Ahead 34-20 midway through the second half, coach Andrew Webster elected to rest his stars and give his young reserves an opportunity to impress.

Ultimately, the Dolphins youth finished strong, running in three converted tries over the last 10 minutes to take 38-34 honours on the scoreboard.

Front-rower Jackson Ford opened the scoring for the Warriors in the fourth minute, but the Dolphins took an early advantage, when Ford was guilty of a hipdrop tackle that saw him serve 10 minutes in the sin bin.

In his absence, hooker Brad Schneider put the Brisbane side ahead, but restored to full strength, hooker Wayde Egan and Watene-Zelezniak gave the Warriors an 18-10 halftime lead, with halfback Tanah Boyd on target from the tee.

The Dolphins seemed to take control after the break, when they ran in back-to-back tries for fullback Trai Fuller and winger Jamayne Isaako, but they handed momentum back, when prop Frank Molo was sin-binned for a high shoulder to Ford’s head.

Centre Ali Leiataua and Watene-Zelezniak grabbed the lead back for the Warriors, before Webster inserted his young reserves.

The newbies showed one last flourish, with half Jack Thompson bombing towards the Dolphins posts and second-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava claiming the ball to score, as the Warriors went 38-20 up, but that was their last scoring action.

Instead, Tevita Naufahu, John Fineanganofo and Brian Pouniu – all born in Auckland – rattled off tries for the Dolphins to take scoreboard honours, with Schneider converting all three.

Webster will now hold his breath over Ford’s judicial fate, while acting skipper Kurt Capewell ended the first half holding his ribs, after falling awkwardly making a tackle.

Follow the live action here:

Squads

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Haizyn Mellars, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Morgan Gannon, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Makaia Tafua, 24. Motu Pasikala, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 27. Geronimo Doyle, 28. Rodney Tuipuiotu-Vea, 29. Paea Sikuvea

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have added several frontliners, including former Warriors Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth, after suffering a 24-12 loss to Gold Coast Titans last week,

Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Francis Molo, 9. Bradley Schneider, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Morgan Knowles

Interchange: 14. Tevita Naufahu, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 17. John Fineanganofo

Reserves: 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. Elijah Rasmussen, 20. Brian Pouniu, 21. Zac Garton, 22. Brent Woolf, 23. Adquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke, 24. Sangstar Figota, 25. Noah Fien, 26. Elijah McKay

Warriors take on Dolphins in an NRL pre-season trial. Liam Swiggs / RNZ

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

February 20, 2026

Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika – Super Rugby Pacific

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hurricanes Brayden Iose and Josh Moorby celebrate a try during their match against Moana Pasifika. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

After sitting out round one with the bye, the Hurricanes ran rampant against Moana Pasifika in their Super Rugby Pacific opener to secure a 52-10 win, earning a bonus.

Winger Josh Moorby scored three out of the home sides five tries in the drubbing.

To add to Moana Pasifika’s woes, they lost Israel Leota and William Havili to injury, with Havili being stretcher off in the 63rd minute with a head or neck injury.

Here’s how the match unfolded

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

February 20, 2026

Family’s chance for a fresh start thanks to new social housing

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Tuiletufuga family. Amy Williams / RNZ

A father of four says words cannot describe the relief he felt having a stable roof for his family after they spent a month living in a van before moving to emergency housing.

The Salvation Army has added another 41 homes to a social housing development in Flat Bush, South Auckland, ranging from one bedroom apartments to five bedroom houses.

It is where Jonathan Tuiletufuga, his wife Tauline and their four sons have a place to call their own at long last.

They moved here from Samoa a year ago, living with friends and family while trying to secure housing.

Tuiletufuga said for a month they lived in a van to ease pressure on those they had been staying with – two of their four sons are autistic, one of whom has high needs.

“He’s very vocal, he makes a lot of noise at night, so all of us cramping into the van and maybe parking in a playground somewhere and crashing out for the night. For about a month we had that period until we got into a transitional home.”

Jonathan Tuiletufuga. Amy Williams / RNZ

He said the temporary housing was small and the Salvation Army had been working with them for a few months when the opportunity arose to move to Flat Bush.

“We were in a transitional house at the time, it was emergency, I’m so glad we said yes because massive space. I’ve got room enough to spare for my boys – they’re all growing, ages one to 15, so we’ve got room to put down roots and try to start from the bottom again.”

The family moved into the new four-bedroom home three weeks ago.

Tuiletufuga said it had been hard to find work and he had gone back to school to get qualifications.

“It’s difficult right now but if we keep tackling, if we keep putting one foot forward it’s upwards and onwards.”

The Salvation Army had 18 social housing developments underway throughout the country, with 400 homes funded in the 2025 Budget.

The new units in Flat Bush add to the 46 homes that were built on the same site five years ago, and it was now home to more than 200 people, more than half of them children.

At Friday’s opening, property director Greg Foster said they could build more if funding was available.

Salvation Army territorial director of social housing and property Greg Foster. RNZ / Natalie Akoorie

“We can always do more, not only the Salvation Army we can do a lot more but also a lot of community housing providers can do more. Amongst the community housing providers last year there was funding for 2000 so [together] we’ve taken up all that.”

Foster said the current funding round was for fewer homes, close to 800. Meanwhile, there were 19,500 people waiting for state housing.

Jasmine Herewini. Amy Williams / RNZ

Jasmine Herewini oversaw the Salvation Army’s national tenancies, and said their social housing came with wraparound support for tenants who came from homelessness or transitional housing.

“It is hard because we sit there and we listen to every story that they’re telling us, and it is coming from transitional housing or from their vehicles,” she said.

“We can’t save everyone, but what we can do is provide whare in a community where they can build on that.”

This latest development was just one step towards reducing housing insecurity. Tuiletufuga said his family was settling in very well.

“One hundred on everything, the location of the house that they picked for us, the amount of rooms that are set aside for my boys and I and the Mrs, she’s happy – she can’t stop inviting people over.”

Christopher Luxon. Ida White Lynx Photography

Prime Minister Christopher attended the opening, saying the government was backing community housing providers with funding to build more homes.

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