Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Wet weather may force use of outfall pipe near Wellington beaches

Source: Radio New Zealand

Beaches on the south coast are still off limits after the sewage spill. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Wellington Water says it is monitoring wet weather forecast for the capital this weekend as its Moa Point plant continues to leak raw sewage.

The sewage plant melted down last week, flooding the building with waste and sending raw sewage into the nearby south coast.

Nearby beaches remained off limits due to tens of millions of litres of screened but untreated sewage flowing out the plant’s 1.8-kilometre outfall pipe each day.

The water company said it may have to use its outfall pipe nearby the beaches at short notice due to increased water flows.

It said if that happened a clean-up crew would be sent to the shoreline.

MetService was forecasting rain and large swells up to seven metres in size on Sunday and Monday in Wellington.

Wellington Water said removal of sewage from the plant and cleaning its rooms were ongoing.

It was also working on understanding the state of the plant’s equipment and operations.

“This assessment will take some time, and we still expect there will be an extended outage at the plant.”

Sewage spill raises bird strike fear at Wellington Airport

Wellington Airport says it has noticed increased bird activity near its runway this week, and it is taking safety measures for planes following the Moa Point failure.

Wellington Airport’s location is very close to Moa Point.

Wellington Airport is taking safety measures for planes following the Moa Point failure. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

With the risk of bird strike for aircraft in mind, its head of operations, Matthew Palliser, told RNZ they were monitoring the animals.

“We are keeping a close eye on bird activity around the airport and have noticed some increased activity at times this week, but we are always prepared for this.”

Palliser said the airport had regular patrols checking the runway and that they worked closely with the Airways control tower.

“When required, we use a range of tools to scare birds off, including different noises.

“We also have a full-time Wildlife Officer who monitors bird activity.”

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

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Land earmarked for new Kumeū high school

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is delivering for the rapidly growing communities of North-West Auckland, with land now prioritised and earmarked for a much-needed new secondary school in Kumeū, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. 

“This Government is delivering for growth communities and acting now to support families with the schools they need. Protecting land through the Resource Management Act 1991 for a new Kumeū high school is a major milestone for North West Auckland,” Ms Stanford says. 

“This decision is part of a broader programme of delivery that is getting results. Through careful stewardship of public funds and a relentless focus on value for money, we are delivering more school property than ever before.” 

Ms Stanford says the Government has fundamentally changed how school property is delivered. 

“We have halved the cost of building a standard classroom while maintaining quality. That has allowed us to build 187 more classrooms, announce and fund 14 new schools and expansions, and purchase land for five future schools.

“In just two years, we have also invested nearly twice as much in school property maintenance as was spent in the six years prior. This is building for the future, spending wisely and delivering more for communities. 

Ms Stanford says initiating the designation of land for a Kumeū high school reflects forward planning in one of New Zealand’s fastest growing areas. 

“Before Christmas I initiated the process, and a Notice of Requirement (NoR) has been lodged with Auckland Council. The Council is now reviewing the NoR, which is subject to statutory timelines. 

“The land is adjacent to Huapai District School, and I look forward to providing an update later this year.” 

Local MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi, Chris Penk, welcomed the announcement, saying it delivers on longstanding advocacy for the area. 

“I have long advocated for a new high school in North-West Auckland, both while in opposition and now in government, because I know how important this is for local families,” Mr Penk says. 

“This is a growing community that needs certainty, and I am delighted that we are now delivering for my constituents. Designating the site for a Kumeū secondary school is a significant step forward.” 

Ms Stanford says more school property announcements are expected this year. 

“We are building for the future and making smart investments today so communities have the schools they need tomorrow.” 

Notes to editor:  

  • Designations are used to facilitate the future education needs of growing communities. Lodging a Notice of Requirement is an important step to signal to the community that planning for their children’s educational needs is moving ahead.
  • Attached: Aerial photo of site for new secondary school in Kumeū. 
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Black Foils boss Peter Burling first to earn SailGP demerit points for Perth scrape with Swiss

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand SailGP

4pm Saturday, 14 February & Sunday, 15 February

Wynyard Point, Auckland

Live updates on RNZ

Black Foils driver Peter Burling has found himself on the wrong side of history, after the incident that sidelined his SailGP boat at Perth last month.

Early in the opening race of the new season, New Zealand and Switzerland collided at high speed, with the Swiss shearing the transom off ‘Amokura’.

While the Europeans were able to repair their F50 cataraman overnight and return to the water for the second day of competition, the Kiwis were consigned to their sheds, copping the blame for the melee and earning penalty points for causing it.

They finished the weekend with no championship points and faced a nervous process to bring their boat to full integrity before this weekend’s home event at Auckland’s Wynyard Point.

The punishment took on an even more personal note for Burling, when he became the first recipient of demerit points under the league’s new ‘Super Licence’ for drivers, similar to Formula One motor-racing requirements.

Black Foils driver Peter Burling at the New Zealand SailGP media conference. Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“I seem to have become the first driver with the ‘honour’ of getting demerit points on my license,” he told the official media conference. “It’s a whole new thing and I’m not even sure how many I can get in a season – I should probably work that out at some stage.

“Got the email the other day – all part of the fun.”

Burling revealed to RNZ he received three demerit points, but bore no grudges.

“To me, the demerit points and the new licensing system that SailGP has put in is a real sign of maturity in the league. It’s a really cool step to see the league putting protocols in, so people have to go through a process to get on the F50 and be responsible for one of the roles onboard.

Black Foils boat ‘Amokura’ is launched for testing before New Zealand SailGP at Auckland’s Wynyard Point. Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“Everyone has to pass a minimum standard in terms of their knowledge of the boat, knowledge of how the league operates… to be responsible for that role. It’s a good step for the league and also holding people accountable with its demerit points.

“Everyone’s going to have the odd crash. If you’re not bringing the boats close together, you’re not really racing.”

Burling still didn’t agree with the decision to penalise his team, but organisers seemed happy to play up the actual or perceived rivalry between the Kiwis and the Swiss.

“On the water, we got deemed that we didn’t turn quick enough, which – for me – is in the grey zone, if you look back at a lot of other incidents,” he said. “That’s the umpire’s call.

“In sailing, there’s Rule 14 as well, which is, if you can avoid a collision, you should. For me, at some stage, you can’t just disappear and I feel like there were two parties to the incident.

“That’s all in the past now, we’ve got to live by the decision and move forward.”

At the media conference, Burling was seated at the far end of the couch to Swiss counterpart Seb Schneiter, a detail that didn’t escape the attention of NZ-born Italy driver Phil Robertson.

“Why have you sat them so far apart?” Robertson chirped.

“We obviously spoke in the protest and a little bit after sailing,” Schneiter explained. “We had a birthday party last weekend and Pete was on the invite list, but he didn’t make it unfortunately.

“I think it’s part of the nature of racing these boats at such high speeds. It’s going to happen and, as Pete said, we have to learn as a league.

“No-one wants the boats to come together. Either you’re right or wrong, and there’s certainly a lot to learn from this.”

Burling was quick to explain his absence: “Just to set the story straight, last weekend, the weather was a bit nice down at Coromandel, so we decided with the family to stay there and not make the trip back to Auckland.”

He explained to RNZ that the Black Foils had history with the Swiss, who also clipped Amokura during a start at Abu Dhabi last November.

“Why have you sat them so far apart?” Peter Burling (extreme right) address the media conference, with Swiss counterpart Seb Schneiter (extreme left). Marika Khabazi/RNZ

“That’s two from two events they’ve hit that corner of the boat,” Burling chuckled. “Hopefully, we can keep apart this weekend and, hopefully as a league, we can learn from the incidents.

“The incident we had you probably see 5-10 times a weekend, where people make a tiny mistake on the timing and other boats help alleviate the problem, in terms of two boats not coming together, and both get to carry and race.

“Hopefully, the Swiss learn from that.”

Ironically, New Zealand have gained one tiny benefit from their misfortune.

With a weather bomb hovering over the North Island on Friday, SailGP teams lost their only official practice day in Auckland.

The only boats allowed on the water were the home team, Spain and Germany, which had all undergone major modifications since Perth and needed to test out repairs, before racing began on Saturday.

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

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Welcome to the Year of the Horse

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

The 2026 Chinese New Year is on Tuesday February 17, entering the Year of the Horse. As part of the celebrations, many people will be sharing gifts, including American ginseng and other traditional Chinese medicines.

Some of these products contain ingredients from species protected under CITES. To bring them into New Zealand, you need a CITES permit. Without a permit these items could be seized.

Seahorses are protected under CITES. Photo: DOC

What is CITES

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna, is an agreement between countries that regulates the illegal wildlife trade – the fourth biggest illegal activity worldwide behind arms, drugs and human trafficking.

CITES is one of the oldest conservation agreements in the world, and aims to ensure the international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of species. ‘Trade’ in this instance refers to any movement of specimens or items across international borders.

Each country puts the agreement into law through their own legislation. In New Zealand this is the Trade in Endangered Species (TIES) Act 1989.

CITES covers over 40,000 species. This includes many plant and animal species used in traditional Chinese medicine, including Tiān Má, Renshen Guipi Wan, Shí Hú and American ginseng.

Traditional or alternative medicines which contain CITES species come in various forms. Some are raw materials or ingredients like whole and sliced roots and stems. Others are in commercial medicine packages like tablets, pills and plasters.

American ginseng root (Panax Quinqefolius). Photo by Sam Droege CC PDM 1.0

How does it work?

Regulation of the international wildlife trade requires international co-operation, and CITES provides this framework. CITES regulates and monitors the trade in plants, animals and their parts as they cross international borders. Once a species is CITES listed, it requires imports and exports to be authorised through a permitting system.

Because CITES is species-based, items that were sustainably harvested, hunted or farmed still require permits if their species is protected.

A selection of traditional medicines Photo: DOC

What happens at the border?

In New Zealand, MPI and NZ Customs detain suspected CITES items at the border for DOC’s CITES Officers to check and follow up. This includes items carried by international air passengers, cruise ship passengers or private boat users, or sent via international mail or freight.

People who bring in traditional medicines containing CITES protected species without the correct permits will have the product confiscated and may be fined or prosecuted.

Having items seized by border authorities can be embarrassing and disappointing for travellers and family members coming to celebrate. The best way to avoid these situations is to simply not bring these products into New Zealand.

Traditional Chinese medicines and American ginseng are both widely available here online, and in retail stores, so you do not need to import them. Buying within New Zealand also supports local businesses, makes it much easier for buyers, and generates economic activity in our communities.

A selection of traditional medicines. Photo: DOC

Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day

In Auckland, the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day will be on Saturday 14 February 2026 at the Auckland showgrounds. Staff from the CITES team will be onsite to provide more information about CITES and what you need to do if you want to bring CITES-protected traditional medicines into New Zealand.

DOC and MPI staff ready for the crowds at the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day. Photo: DOC

Where do I start?

If you are buying traditional medicines online or having them sent or brought in by family overseas, make sure to check the rules on our website first.

Have a look at the CITES information on the DOC website. There is a special section, here, which lists traditional Chinese medicines covered by CITES. There are also CITES website pages in Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. CITES is complex, so if you need help working out what you need to do for a specific item, email us at cites@doc.govt.nz.

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‘It’s appalling’ – the Auckland academic who appears in the Epstein files

Source: Radio New Zealand

“Lolita will never cease to shock”, wrote Brian Boyd in the introduction to his two-volume biography about Russian writer Vladimir Nabokov.

Fourteen years ago, when he spoke to Jeffrey Epstein about funding to write a book about the novel, the billionaire financier’s child sex abuse conviction “was not well known at all,” he says.

“If I’d known he’d been convicted, the last thing I would ever have done would be to suggest a book on Lolita,” Boyd tells RNZ’s Nights.

Jeffrey Epstein with his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking underage girls.

CNN/US District Court for the Southern District of New York

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

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‘Golden visa’ update announced by Immigration Minister

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has given an update on the government’s so-called ‘golden visa’, which aims to attract investors with at least $5 million to spend.

Changes to the Active Investor Plus visa took effect in April last year, bringing in two categories – riskier ‘growth’ investments of $5m-plus over three years and lower-risk ‘balanced’ investments of $10m-plus over five years – and reducing other barriers, including time spent in New Zealand and an English language test.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The minimum investment amount had previously been $15m.

Stanford said 573 applications had been received to date, totalling about $3.39 billion invested – with $1.05b of that already committed.

She said it compared to 116 applications and $70m of investment over the two-and-a-half years under the previous settings.

“I am delighted that our new visa settings are helping to open up possibility and opportunity for investment,” Stanford said.

“These investors bring not just capital, but global experience, expertise, and networks. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of these investors over the last year and I have seen firsthand their love for, and commitment to, New Zealand.”

She made the announcement at Hectre, an AI startup focused on orchard management and fruit quality.

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

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DOC urges caution over severe North Island weather warnings

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  13 February 2026

MetService has already issued orange warnings for the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and Gisborne/Tairawhiti. Heavy rain is expected across many parts of the North Island.

Kahori Nakagawa, Acting Operations Manager Hawke’s Bay, says it’s important for visitors to check DOC’s website for any current warnings and updates, and stay away from campsites, tracks, or huts near areas with a high slip risk.

“MetService is forecasting intense rainfall over the weekend, which could affect tracks, campsites, and access roads,” says Kahori.

“We’re asking people to think carefully before heading out, and to be prepared to change their plans if needed.

“The last thing we want is people getting hurt or stuck.”

Once the extreme weather has passed, DOC staff will carry out assessments on sites and determine when huts, campsites, and tracks can be reopened to the public.

“If you’re in an affected area and planning a trip this weekend, please take care and put safety first.

“Naturing is about connecting with the outdoors, but that connection also means respecting nature’s power and knowing when to pause or change plans.”

All potential visitors should check the DOC website for the latest alerts before setting out. Checking websites for NZTA and local councils can also help visitors glean information about important travel and recreation aspects like road closures access or water restrictions.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Watch live: ‘Golden visa’ update announced

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford is set to give an update on the government’s so-called ‘golden visa’, which aims to attract investors with at least $5 million to spend.

Stanford is expected to speak to media at 2.30pm.

Changes to the Active Investor Plus visa took effect in April last year, bringing in two categories – riskier ‘growth’ investments of $5m-plus over three years and lower-risk ‘balanced’ investments of $10m-plus over five years – and reducing other barriers, including time spent in New Zealand and an English language test.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The minimum investment amount had previously been $15m.

An update showed Immigration had received 532 applications for the visas between 1 April 2025, when the settings changed and 19 January, with the bulk of those – 423 – being in the ‘growth’ category.

Of those, 392 had been approved, at least in principle, 134 were still being assessed, and six had been withdrawn.

In total, it amounted to a minimum investment of $3.16b – with $926.2m of that already committed.

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

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Firefighters take 30 minutes to respond to callout amid strike action

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two trucks arrived 30 minutes after the report of smoke coming from Auckland’s ferry terminal. File picture. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

It took firefighters 30 minutes to respond to a callout in downtown Auckland on Friday afternoon, amid strike action.

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union walked off the job for one hour from 12-1pm on Friday.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said two fire trucks arrived 30 minutes after a report of smoke coming from the top floor of Auckland’s Downtown ferry terminal was made at about 12.30pm.

The Waitakere and Laingholm Volunteer Brigades, both 30 minutes away from Auckland CBD, were the first at the scene.

Crews from Parnell and Silverdale arrived at just after 1pm.

A fire commander did arrive just after 12.40pm and was the first on site.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson told RNZ that after gaining access to the building, their crews confirmed at about 1.30pm that there was no fire, and the smoke was from a chimney working normally.

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

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‘Decent economic growth’ as manufacturing expands – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand

The BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) fell 0.9 points in January to 55.2, but was comfortably above its long running average of 52.5. 123rf

The manufacturing sector’s turnaround continued into the new year as firms recorded growth in new orders and production, while employment also grew.

The BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) fell 0.9 points in January to 55.2, but was comfortably above its long running average of 52.5. A score above 50 indicated the sector was expanding.

“The January PMI provides further evidence that the economy has finally turned the corner,” BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said.

“It is consistent with our forecasts and a breadth of indicators suggesting decent economic growth.”

All five sub-indices in the survey showed expansion.

“This was led by the two key indices of production (56.6) and new orders (56.4), followed by deliveries (53.3),” BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard said.

“Employment (52.9) recorded its third straight monthly expansion, which had last occurred in the first few months of 2025,” she said.

Steel said the turnaround in employment was “good news”.

“When you’ve got more production and using up spare capacity… it does mean more jobs, and that’s what we see in the survey on Friday,” he said.

“If you look back at last year it implies that the net labour shedding that was occurring has drawn to an end.”

But despite the headline PMI index remaining strong, the survey noted the proportion of positive comments fell from 57.1 percent in December to 47.7 percent.

It said some manufacturers did report weak demand, while the Christmas and summer holiday shutdowns disrupted production.

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