Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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WorkSafe launches investigation into Mount Maunganui landslide

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

WorkSafe New Zealand has now officially begun an investigation into work health and safety at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park in the lead up to the landslide on January 22.

It follows completion of the recovery operation by Police on 1 February.

“We have taken time to be clear about what sits within our remit. Our investigation will focus on work‑related matters prior to the landslide,” says WorkSafe’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa.

WorkSafe will establish whether there has been a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 by businesses and organisations related to the operation of the holiday park. This will include engaging technical experts and gathering information from a range of sources.

“Our team is focused on understanding the decisions and circumstances that shaped the work environment at the holiday park before the landslide. We’re committed to carrying out a careful, methodical investigation that stays grounded in evidence and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, for the victims and their whānau. This will take time, but it’s important we complete a thorough investigation,” says Nigel Formosa.

The post-recovery scene of the landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.

WorkSafe has already started to engage with Tauranga City Council as the operator of the holiday park. The roles of other parties will also be considered in the coming months.

This health and safety investigation is independent from both the Government inquiry and Tauranga City Council’s external review which have recently been initiated.

WorkSafe investigations can take up to 12 months from the date of an incident. Given the amount of information and technical expertise involved, we expect this investigation to take a full year. 

WorkSafe would like to thank New Zealand Police for their ongoing support. We’ll continue to work closely with them as we carry out our respective roles.

About WorkSafe New Zealand

WorkSafe New Zealand is the country’s primary regulator for health and safety at work. Our role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities to ensure work is healthy and safe. We provide guidance, investigate serious incidents, and take enforcement action when necessary. We work with businesses, workers, and industry to reduce work-related harm and ensure all New Zealanders return home safely.

Learn more about how WorkSafe investigates

Media contact details

For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively:

Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz

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As it happened: Former prince Andrew arrested by UK police over Epstein ties

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow updates with RNZ’s live blog above.

Britain’s former prince Andrew has been arrested overnight over allegations he sent confidential government documents to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles’ younger brother – now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he wasstripped by his older brother of his titles and honours last October – was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday, his 66th birthday.

The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth is now in police custody. He has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen after leaving police custody, following his arrest on February 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Getty Images / Peter Nicholls

Follow updates with RNZ’s live blog at the top of this page.

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

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Northern Brave duo set to debut for White Ferns

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nensi Patel of the Northern Brave. www.photosport.nz

There are two new players in the White Ferns squad named to take on Zimbabwe later this month.

Northern Brave duo Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight have been included for the series, which will be the first between the two nations and includes three T20I’s and three ODI’s.

Off-spinning all-rounder Patel returns to the group after being centrally contracted for the 2022-23 season.

She was the Brave’s top run-scorer in the Super Smash this summer and second-equal wicket-taker alongside Knight.

Knight, a former New Zealand under-19 representative, is available for just the T20 series, with Molly Penfold to replace her in the ODI squad.

“We’ve prioritised players that could make the T20 World Cup squad in June, whilst also providing international exposure to high-potential talent whose skillsets align with long-term White Ferns planning,” said coach Ben Sawyer.

“Nensi and Kayley have both been solid performers over the last 12-18 months, so it’s really pleasing for them to get this opportunity.”

The squad will be captained by Melie Kerr in her first assignment as New Zealand’s permanent captain.

Suzie Bates (quadricep) and Eden Carson (elbow) were not considered for selection due to their respective injuries, and Lea Tahuhu was not considered for the T20I squad due to physical preparation planning for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.

Sophie Devine, who is on a casual contract with NZC, was not available for this series.

Northern Brave Women’s Kayley Knight bowls. DJ Mills / PHOTOSPORT

WHITE FERNS Squad v Zimbabwe

Flora Devonshire Central Hinds

Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts

Maddy Green Auckland Hearts

Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts

Bree Illing Auckland Hearts

Polly Inglis Sparks (T20I only)

Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr Wellington Blaze

Kayley Knight* Northern Brave (T20I only)

Emma McLeod Central Hinds (ODI only)

Rosemary Mair Central Hinds

Nensi Patel* Northern Brave

Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts (ODI only)

Georgia Plimmer Wellington Blaze

Izzy Sharp** Canterbury Magicians

Series against Zimbabwe

Wed 25 Feb: 1st T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Fri 27 Feb: 2nd T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Sun 1 March: 3rd T20, 1:15pm, Hamilton

Thurs 5 March: 1st ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Sun 8 March: 2nd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Wed 11 March, 3rd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

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

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The llamas keeping sheep safe at Auckland’s Ambury farm

Source: Radio New Zealand

On a sunny weekday at lunchtime, Ken, Drick, and Lamar are working hard.

Grazing on grass, and occasionally lifting their heads to check the surroundings.

But don’t be fooled by their languid behaviour – they’re actually top notch security guards.

Park ranger Millie Law has been looking after the llamas.

Ke-Xin Li

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

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Toy Story 5 trailer drops: Woody and Buzz are back to take on tech

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Toy Story franchise is back with its fifth instalment and this time – the toys are taking on technology.

By the time Toy Story 5 hits theatres in June, it will have been seven years since Toy Story 4 was released.

The trailer for the latest Disney and Pixar film has just been released today, with plenty of familiar characters.

Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang are all back.

But the toys that remained with Bonnie after Andy gave them a new home at the end of Toy Story 4 have become second best to a new one – a Lilypad smart tablet.

The trailer shows Bonnie – now 8 years old – becoming obsessed with her tablet and Jessie growing angrier with its seemingly lack of interest in her concerns.

Jessie reaches out to Woody for help.

“Is it as bad out there for toys as they say it is?” she asks.

“We’re finding more abandoned toys each day,” he tells her.

“I don’t know, Jessie, toys are for play but tech if for everything.”

Understanding Jessie’s fears of “losing Bonnie to this device”, he finds his way back to the team to help.

As well as the much-loved characters from the previous films in the franchise, all new ones will be introduced in Toy Story 5.

According to a press release, Craig Robinson has joined the franchise as Atlas, a talking GPS hippo toy, Shelby Rabara voices a camera toy named Snappy, Scarlett Spears will voice now 8-year-old Bonnie, and Mykal-Michelle Harris voices Blaze, “an independent 8-year-old girl who loves animals”.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are both back voicing Woody and Buzz Lightyear with Greta Lee voicing Lilypad.

Toy Story 5 is directed by Andrew Stanton, also known for other animated hits like Finding Nemo, Finding Dory and Wall-E.

According to Variety, Stanton says the film is less of a traditional “good-versus-evil showdown” and more “an existential reckoning for toys facing obsolescence”.

According to The Numbers, the Toy Story franchise has grossed more than US$3.3 billion worldwide. Toy Story 4 and Toy Story 3 are its biggest earners so far, grossing more than $1b each.

Toy Story 5 will be released in New Zealand theatres on 18 June 2026.

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

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Four hospitalised after chemical incident at Levin plant released

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The four people who were hospitalised following a chemical incident at a meat processing plant in Levin have since been discharged.

Emergency services were called to the Alliance Group site on Hamaria Road at about 6.30pm on Thursday.

St John said four people were taken to Palmerston North Hospital following the incident – one in a serious condition and three in moderate condition.

An Alliance Group spokesperson said they had all now been discharged, but two were expected to return to hospital later on Friday for additional checks.

The spokesperson said processing at the plant resumed after Fire and Emergency (FENZ) handed back the site, and an internal investigation was underway.

WorkSafe said it had been notified of the incident, and that it would be conducting its own investigation.

“We are currently making initial enquiries to understand the circumstances of the event and will respond accordingly.”

Firefighters from Levin, Ōtaki and Palmerston North attended and carried out a precautionary decontamination.

Five ambulances, three rapid response units, two operations managers and a St John major incident support team initially responded to the incident.

A further 18 people were assessed and treated at the scene for a minor condition but did not need hospital transport, St John said.

A spokesperson for St John said the gas involved at the site was chlorine.

The Alliance group clarified that it was a “chemical incident” rather than a gas leak.

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

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IEA Declaration strengthens international co-operation on critical minerals

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand has joined international leaders at the 2026 International Energy Agency Ministerial meeting in committing to strengthen global co-operation on critical minerals to strengthen long‑term energy security. 

Energy Minister Simon Watts, who has been at the ministerial meeting in Paris this week, joined 32 member countries in endorsing a Declaration supporting the work of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on critical minerals security. The Declaration recognises that critical minerals are essential to the clean energy transition and that access to them is increasingly important for global supply chains. 

“New Zealand is already an active member of the IEA’s Critical Minerals Security Programme, which focuses on security of supply, market transparency, sustainable and responsible sourcing, reliable data, and innovation,” Mr Watts says.

“Today’s Declaration recognises the strategic importance of these minerals for energy security and calls for timely, focused action—from short‑term preparedness to accelerating strategic projects that diversify refining and processing.” 

New Zealand is well‑positioned to become a credible and reliable contributor to international supply chains as global demand rises and the need for a secure supply of critical minerals grows. Occurrences of minerals such as antimony, lithium, rare earth elements and vanadium—all increasingly vital to global clean‑technology systems—highlight clear opportunities for responsible development and investment.

Resources Minister Shane Jones says these resources need to be recognised as strategic assets for New Zealand’s economic resilience and international partnerships.

“In addition to our mineral endowment, we have innovative technology companies developing ways to extract critical minerals from by‑products of existing operations, low‑impact recovery, and supporting the circular economy,” Mr Jones says. 

“Investing in the responsible development of these minerals means more high‑skilled jobs, greater self‑reliance, stronger national resilience, and opportunities to build new capability, technology, and infrastructure here at home.

“Internationally, there is clear demand for stable, transparent, and responsible suppliers—a role New Zealand is well placed to play given our strong environmental, social and governance standards and trusted relationships with global partners. We stand with our IEA partners in supporting secure, resilient critical‑mineral supply chains—and in using our endowment to be part of the solution.” 

The Declaration directs the IEA Secretariat to expand and strengthen its work in several key areas, including:

Enhancing secure data collection and market monitoring across a broad suite of strategic minerals.
Providing rapid assessments of major market developments and potential supply disruptions.
Supporting members to coordinate responses to export restrictions and other shocks, including through secure information‑sharing.
Assisting countries that choose to establish or expand critical mineral stockpiles.
Organising regular emergency preparedness exercises.
Expanding the Critical Minerals Information Dashboard to help members identify diversification opportunities.
Accelerating innovation in recycling, recovery and substitution technologies.
Deepening collaboration with governments, industry, financial institutions and international partners to improve transparency and mobilise investment.

 

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Update – Cannons Creek assault

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:

Police investigating an assault in Cannons Creek this morning are seeking information from the public to assist our investigation.

Just before 7:40am, Police were called to Dido Place after reports of a firearm being discharged.

One person sustained moderate injuries, they are now stable in hospital.

Residents can expect to see an ongoing Police presence as our investigations progress.

There is not believed to be any risk to the wider public following this incident.

Police would like to hear from anybody who witnessed the incident, as well as those who were in and around Dido Place and the surrounding areas at the time of the incident.

Information can be provided to Police via 105 either over the phone or online, quoting the reference number 260220/7899.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Wellington resident horrified after raw sewage ‘exploded’ from his toilet

Source: Radio New Zealand

The resident lives near Moa Point in Wellington. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

This story contains photos of the sewage-affected bathroom which may upset some readers.

A Wellington resident living near Moa Point says sewage “exploded” out of his toilet on Thursday morning.

Ed, a Miramar resident who doesn’t want his surname used, told RNZ it happened while Wellington Water staff were working on his street.

If you’ve also been affected contact Kaya.Selby@rnz.co.nz

“I’d heard some gurgling in the pipe system, and as I opened the door to the bathroom, a little fountain of raw sewage was exploding out of our toilet, so much so it was reaching the ceiling,” he said.

“It’s covered every surface in our bathroom, just particles of raw sewage everywhere.”

He said it had rendered the bathroom unusable, and the smell made it difficult to be in his home.

“Particles of poop everywhere… it’s soaked into the towels, it’s on everything on the walls, our toilet itself is in a state.”

The Mirarmar bathroom soon after the sewage incident. Supplied

“I feel disgusting, because the house stinks of poop. It’s given me a bit of a headache.”

Ed said that he immediately rang his neighbour and heard that the same thing had happened to them.

He said they encountered the workers on their street and saw that several other residents had been out to speak with them as well.

The workers gave Ed a phone number and a reference for a cleaning job, but he said neither number worked.

His attempts to contact the council also didn’t seem successful.

However, cleaners came to fix his place up last night.

Cleaners came in to help clean up the bathroom on Thursday evening. Supplied

Ed’s home is roughly two kilometres away from the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Wellington Water and Wellington City Council have been contacted for a response.

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

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Name release: Fatal crash, Dairy Flat

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now name the man who died after a fatal crash on Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat on 8 February.

He was Thomas John Lycett, 21, of Stanmore Bay.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS.

Amanda Wienke/NZ Police