Source: Privacy Commissioner
Our website uses cookies so we can analyse our site usage and give you the best experience. Click “Accept” if you’re happy with this, or click “More” for information about cookies on our site, how to opt out, and how to disable cookies altogether.
Source: Radio New Zealand
Ruapuke Island whānau at the High Court in April 2025. Supplied/Ruapuke whānau
Whānau from Ruapuke Island near Bluff have, again, won customary marine title (CMT) over the waters surrounding Te Ara a Kiwa/Foveaux Strait – the first claimants to do so under stricter rules.
In a judgement released on 26 February, the High Court found the group met the revised legal tests introduced by the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Amendment Act.
The Ruapuke Island Group had previously won CMT in late August 2025, following an eight year application process through the High Court.
At the time, Rick Fife of the Topi whānau, said the he was “extremely pleased” with the decision because it affirmed the connection the various Ruapuke whānau have with their takutai moana.
However, their win coincided with introduction of new rules, effectively making it harder for Māori to win customary marine title. The rule changes were also retrospective, meaning any court decisions issued after 25 July 2024 would be void and need to be reheard.
Despite that, the Court concluded that the claimants held the specified area in accordance with tikanga continuously since 1840, and had exclusively used and occupied the takutai moana without substantial interruption.
The evidence presented to the Court included generations of customary harvesting of kaimoana, seasonal mahinga kai practices and active stewardship of the environment through conservation and kaitiakitanga.
Ailsa Cain of the Kīhau whānau said the decision affirmed what Ruapuke whānau had always known.
“The Amendment Act asked the Court to apply new and more restrictive tests and consider all the evidence again. We are grateful that the Court has once more recognised our whakapapa our tikanga, and our uninterrupted relationship with these waters since before 1840.”
The Court found activities like commercial fishing did not amount to a substantial interruption of customary use and occupation, and had not prevented whānau from continuing their customary practices or exercising kaitiakitanga.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa congratulated the whānau on the outcome.
“Despite the government changing the law and forcing them back to court to face much stricter tests, their unbroken connection to these waters has now been recognised for a second time.” he said.
“This victory is significant, but we remain deeply concerned for other whānau who now have to fight much harder for their own recognition. Changing the law to raise the bar has put an unfair and unnecessary burden on whānau, hapū and iwi. It also risks shutting out whānau altogether whose whakapapa and tikanga connections are just as strong as those of Ruapuke.”
The law changes prompted sharp protest from Māori around the country, including Northland iwi Ngātiwai and Ngāti Manuhiri who are challenging the amendments in the High Court.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Yellow smoke fills the air as an American flag is raised at the start of a Proud Boys rally at Delta Park in Portland, Oregon on September 26, 2020. AFP / Maranie R Staab
New Zealand’s spy agency did not believe the US far-right group Proud Boys met the threshold to be designated a terrorist entity in 2022, but went along with it anyway.
This has come out at a briefing of MPs by the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) at a select committee on Wednesday.
SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton said they were also okay about the Proud Boys being removed from the terrorist list last year.
“We didn’t think they actually met the threshold” in 2022, he said.
Dropping them from the list in 2025 meant they ended up in a position that was “probably closer to our original advice” in 2022.
The Combined Threat Assessment group (CTAG), hosted by SIS, did not support putting it on the list back then, but the general view was to do it, and he was part of endorsing that.
“I know I’m sounding a little ambivalent here, but we didn’t necessarily think it was a strongly supported decision first time.”
SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton. VNP/Louis Collins
When it came around in 2025, “we didn’t have a strong view either”, he said.
In 2022, Proud Boys were described as an ideologically fascist group that violently targeted minority groups. Its supporters took part in storming the US Capitol in 2020, and several had their sentences for that commuted by US President Donald Trump last year.
In 2025, the group was removed from the terrorist list here, even though the National Security Board, which includes the SIS, unanimously recommended its designation be renewed.
The board chair then laid out the reasons arguing otherwise, and Hampton said he was happy with those.
“The reality is it’s not making much difference to the New Zealand threat environment because they aren’t subjects for our investigation,” he told the select committee.
Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan asked if the SIS would have endorsed removing it, despite the police saying they were a crypto-fascist group with participation in New Zealand.
The police had compiled a 29-page report of the case for putting it on the list. Under “Proud Boys in other countries”, the report mentioned Canada and Australia but not New Zealand.
Hampton said they had ended up closer to CTAG’s original advice in 2022.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Paralympian skier Adam Hall during practice at the Skicenter Rienz – Toblach, South Tyrol Italy on Friday 27 February 2026. Photosport / Jeff Crowe
The Winter Paralympics kick off in Milano Cortina on Saturday (NZT) and all eyes will be on Kiwis Adam Hall and Corey Peters.
Hall and Peters are New Zealand’s only two para athletes in Italy, competing in alpine skiing.
So when is the Opening Ceremony? And how can you watch the events? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Winter Paralympics officially start on Saturday, 7 March, with the Opening Ceremony at the Arena di Verona, where the Olympics had its Closing Ceremony.
Competition did begin a couple of days beforehand, on Thursday, 5 March, with preliminary rounds in wheelchair curling, which New Zealand is not competing in.
The Games run for nine days and will finish on 16 March.
The Opening Ceremony will get underway at 8am NZT on Saturday.
The official schedule can be found at the official Olympics website.
Find out when the Kiwis are in action at the NZ Paralympics website.
Corey Peters. PHOTOSPORT
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, which have been held in the same host cities as the Winter Olympics since 1992.
It is also the second time the Winter Games have been held in Italy, with Torino hosting the Paralympics in 2006.
Like the Olympics, the Paralympics are being hosted by two cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Competition will be spread across five venues around north-east Italy, from Para Ice Hockey in Milan to Para Snowboarding in Cortina.
There are six sports taking place at the Paralympics this year, with a mixed doubles event making its debut in Para Curling.
Two Kiwis will be representing New Zealand at this year’s Winter Paralympics. They are skiiers Hall and Peters.
TVNZ will broadcast the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in New Zealand on Duke and TVNZ+.
-RNZ with ABC
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) is scrambling to pay about 5500 staff in Waikato after a payment glitch. RNZ / Peter de Graaf
One of the thousands of North Island health workers who were not paid overnight has been dipping into her son’s bank account while she has just $2 in hers.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) is scrambling to pay about 5500 staff in Waikato after a payment glitch.
Waikato Hospital health worker Helen, who did not what her surname used, told RNZ she felt embarrassed having to ask for money.
“I’ve had to borrow money just so I could park my car and make sure I could get my car out of the car park this afternoon after work,” she said.
“I’ve had to call the banks to make sure that they’re aware that money will not be available for my loans, I’ve had to let my landlord know that I won’t be able to pay my rent today due to not having enough money in the account.
“At this stage, if money doesn’t go through overnight, I’m not 100 percent sure that I can come to work tomorrow because my petrol light is also on.”
HNZ has put the problem down to an error in the rostering system that is used to calculate payments.
“This issue has now been resolved, and all impacted staff will be paid by the end of today,” Robyn Shearer from its people and culture team said.
“We are confident we have addressed the underlying reasons, and we have reduced the likelihood of this reoccurring.”
Staff were informed about the problem in a memo, Helen said.
“They have told us that the hours have been sent to the bank at about midday today, and they’re hoping that the money will come in overnight,” she said.
“But there’s no guarantee that the amount will be correct.”
Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said health workers deserved to be paid on time. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Colleagues were in similar situations, Helen said.
“Most of them have been on the phone to the banks and changing mortgage payments and hoping that we don’t get stung with fees and dishonour payments or defaults on loans and things like that,” she said.
“It’s horrifically stressful at the moment.”
She said the pay glitch was frustrating, but she loved her job.
“And if I can be here tomorrow, I will be.”
The Public Service Association (PSA) called on HNZ to do an urgent review and said the error was a widespread failure.
The pay glitch struck about half of health workers in Waikato, it said.
“Workers turned up and did their jobs, caring for patients, keeping hospitals running, and they deserved to be paid on time,” PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.
“A payroll failure of this scale is not a minor inconvenience, it causes real hardship.”
Health Minister Simeon Brown acknowledged staff who worked through the night to fix the problem. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Apologies from HNZ were not enough and IT failures had become a recurring feature of the public health system, Fitzsimons said.
Health Minister Simeon Brown acknowledged staff who worked through the night to fix the problem.
“I know this situation will be frustrating for those affected, and getting it resolved so staff are paid as soon as possible is the priority,” he said.
His office said he was waiting for Health New Zealand’s review into how the error happened.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
A blockage in the plant’s outfall pipe led to a backflow of sewage into the plant, shutting it down and forcing the closure of beaches along the city’s South Coast as up to 70 million litres of untreated sewage was sent into the sea each day. RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Wellington Water says replacement equipment to repair the failed Moa Point wastewater plant is yet to be ordered.
Early last month a blockage in the plant’s outfall pipe led to a backflow of sewage into the plant, shutting it down and forcing the closure of beaches along the city’s South Coast as up to 70 million litres of untreated sewage was sent into the sea each day.
In the immediate aftermath of the fault a room at the bottom of plant, the size of an Olympic Swimming Pool, was 3m deep in wastewater.
At the time Wellington Water Chief Executive Pat Doughty said up to 80 percent of the equipment in the plant had been damaged.
A month out from the shutdown Wellington Water’s Chief Operating Officer, Charles Barker said additional equipment to repair damage parts of the plant had not yet been ordered.
“We understand that people want answers. Which is why we are working through a thorough and robust process to understand the full extent of the damage. We’ve had specialists from Beca [engineering consultants] go through the plant and they will provide us with an assessment soon. Once we have that, this will inform our approach to repairing the plant,” Barker said.
Barker said before details of the plant’s repair could be made public the water services provider would have to consult on their plans with insurers and the WCC.
“No additional equipment has been ordered as of yet. This process will take time (likely a few months) but it is important that we take the time and do this well,” Barker said.
In a prior statement Wellington Water said the clean-up of the site was completed last week and the plant was being readied for “recovery work”.
This week the water service provider noted that the plant had remained open since the failure to improve ventilation and protect staff onsite.
“Moa Point plant was designed to be essentially airtight, in part to manage odour. We are currently working to reinstate some ventilation systems that will allow us to close off the plant, however this will mean that untreated air will be vented out of the building via the odour discharge stack (similar to a large chimney). Venting this untreated air out of the stack will help it disperse more quickly. This has a low risk of odour, but will be carefully monitored,” the spokesperson said.
Mayor Andrew Little had been approached for comment.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: New Zealand Government
Young Pacific people will have the opportunity to enter New Zealand’s growing $750 million gaming sector through Game On, a programme to support them into the industry, Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti says.
“Game On will support up to 57 Pacific youth to turn their interest in gaming into real employment opportunities in an industry facing ongoing skill shortages,” says Dr Reti. “It will open doors and create long term opportunities for our Pacific communities.”
Game On is delivered in partnership with NGO The Cause Collective, MSD’s Tupu Toa, industry leader PikPok and the New Zealand Game Developers Association.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples will be the key funder, investing $1 million over four years, matched by industry partners.
“Young Pacific people bring creativity, fresh perspectives and strong collaborative strengths to industries like gaming and technology,” Dr Reti says.
Through school outreach, studio visits, mentoring and internships, Game On will support Pacific learners explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers in real studio environments.
Dr Reti says: “Game On builds on the Ministry’s wider work to improve Pacific outcomes in STEM – another way the Government is fixing the basics and building the future.
“Game On extends the reach of the Toloa programme and gives studios access to diverse Pacific talent.”
The first cohort will begin their training in July 2026.
Source: New Zealand Police
A dangerous driver who allegedly stole a car and drove it through Albany while intoxicated is now facing a raft of charges.
Late last night, Police were notified a vehicle had been stolen from Channel View Road, Takapuna.
Waitematā East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant CJ Miles, says Police then spotted the vehicle travelling north on Wairau Road at about 1am this morning.
“Units, including the Police Eagle helicopter, have flooded the area, however the vehicle wasn’t located.
“But just a short time later, the vehicle was seen on Albany Expressway driving erratically and at more than twice the posted speed limit.”
Senior Sergeant Miles says Eagle observed the vehicle driving dangerously, crossing onto the wrong side of the road and at excessive speed.
“The vehicle has continued travelling through the Albany area before eventually coming to a dead-end street at St Andrews Way where it appeared the driver was attempting to take another vehicle.
“Police arrived quickly and took the man into custody without further incident,” she says.
Breath alcohol procedures were carried out and the man was allegedly over the legal driving limit.
“It’s extremely lucky no one was injured or seriously hurt as a result of this reckless behaviour.
“It’s clear he had little regard for anyone else and I’m pleased we could put a stop to this before anyone else was put at risk.”
A 25-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court today charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and driving with excess breath alcohol.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: Radio New Zealand
Follow all the action as the Football Ferns take on American Samoa at National Stadium, Honiara in the Solomon Islands.
Thursday’s match follows Tuesday’s 8-0 victory over the Solomon Islands – their second World Cup qualifying match win.
The Ferns have officially qualified for Round 3 of the OFC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Kick off against American Samoa is 3pm.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 05 March 2026
This statement can be attributed to Bec Rush, Mainland Auckland Operations Manager, DOC:
The Shepherd’s beaked whale that was refloated near St Heliers in Auckland on Tuesday 3 March was found deceased on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 March off Hobsonville.
It is unusual for a deep-water species of whale to be found close to shore – it’s often a sign it is injured or sick.
We have taken tissue samples for scientific analysis and are working alongside mana whenua to remove the remains from the current spot to a suitable burial site.
Thank you to everyone involved this week including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Paoa, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Project Jonah and Massey University, and the volunteers and public who have been a great support.
If you spot a stranded or entangled whale, dolphin or other sea animal, please immediately call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
This statement can be attributed to Dave Lundquist, Senior Marine Science Advisor, DOC:
The Shepherd’s beaked whale is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, with most records in and around New Zealand.
They are one of 13 species of beaked whale known from New Zealand, a world biodiversity hotspot for the group.
They are unique amongst beaked whales in having functional teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
The Shepherd’s beaked whale status in New Zealand is Data Deficient, as we do not know how many of these animals there are, nor whether that number is increasing or decreasing over time.
We have records of 38 Shepherd’s beaked whales stranding in New Zealand, as well as 11 sightings of groups of whales seen live at sea.
Strandings have occurred all around the country, from Cape Reinga out to the Chathams and down to Stewart Island, indicating they likely have a widespread distribution throughout New Zealand waters.
Most of the live sightings are associated with offshore underwater canyon systems, for example off Kaikoura and Otago, in relatively deep waters typically used by beaked whales.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz