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Southland calf rearer fined $35,000 for not declaring movements of 753 cattle, not registering 52 cattle with NAIT

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A Southland calf rearer who failed to declare the movements of 753 cattle or register 52 other animals under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act, has been fined $35,000. 

Under the Act, all cattle or deer must be declared in movements to the NAIT organisation, OSPRI, within 48 hours. Additionally, all animals must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm. 

Mark Andrew Taylor (54) was yesterday (26 November 25) sentenced in the Gore District Court on 3 charges under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). 

“This was hundreds of animals, and it only takes one animal to potentially cause a biosecurity problem, as we have learned from our experience with Mycoplasma bovis,” says MPI manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance south, Peter Hyde. 

In February this year, MPI analysed Mr Taylor’s NAIT records and compared them with animal status declarations regarding animals moving onto or off farm. MPI found 52 tagged cattle had never been registered into the database. Another 197 cattle that came from various other properties were not declared as being moved onto Mr Taylor’s property and a further 556 cattle were sent to 5 different locations in the South Island without declaring any of these movements. 

“The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information that’s entered. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out to our partners at OSPRI. There is plenty of information, advice, and support available.” 

Find out more about OSPRI

“MPI takes non-compliance with NAIT seriously. The scheme provides a critical tool in the fight against biosecurity incursions. Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk,” says Peter Hyde. 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz 

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

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Road blocked, SH1, Kaikoura

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 is blocked following a serious crash near Waipapa Bay, Kaikoura this morning.

Police were called to the single vehicle crash involving a motorcycle at around 10am. 

One person was located with serious injuries. 

The road is fully blocked and motorists are advised to follow diversions. 

ENDS

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Ryman Healthcare returns to positive cashflow for first time in decade

Source: Radio New Zealand

The reset followed a $1 billion equity raise in February 2025. Supplied

Major retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare has reported a first-half loss, but is in a cashflow-positive position for the first time in a decade.

“We’ve turned an important corner in our transformation, with the balance sheet reset providing a robust foundation for sustainable performance,” chief executive Naomi James said.

The reset followed a $1 billion equity raise in February 2025, which saw its debt-financing costs drop 27 percent or $14.2m.

“The business has stabilised, momentum is returning and we are delivering results with meaningful progress achieved against FY26 priorities,” she said.

“Our focus is now moving to accelerating performance across our portfolio of high quality retirement villages.”

Key numbers for the six months ended September compared with restated year-earlier results:

  • Net loss $45.2m* v $82.0m net profit
  • Underlying loss $43.4m v $101.0m net loss
  • Fair value movement of investment properties $3.2m* v $270.1m
  • Revenue $413.8m v $366.3m
  • Interim dividend nil
  • *Net loss includes drop in fair value of assets, as well as a $2.4m impairment, resulting from cost overruns in Woodcote and Kevin Hickman villages

James said the second half of FY26 was expected to remain broadly in line with the first half.

“We remain focused on selling down stock as a significant opportunity to drive cash flow. We are confident our sales effectiveness will support continued progress over FY26.

“We anticipate ongoing variability as the property markets recover at differing speeds – Victoria is showing positive momentum, while Auckland is yet to show meaningful improvement.”

She said cost savings were tracking ahead of expectations, with annualised savings of $40m, expected to rise to between $50-60m by the end of the year ending in March.

“At our investor day in February, we’ll share more on the land bank review, including sites which have been earmarked for future development and additional sites selected for divestment.”

The company would also provide an update on its overall growth strategy and dividend policy.

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

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Tower reports record profits, more customers, fewer big-claim events

Source: Radio New Zealand

The company forecasted an underlying profit for the coming year between $55m-65m. RNZ / Dan Cook

Insurance company Tower has reported record profits, as increased numbers of customers drove premium income, while it had a low level of big-claim events.

Key numbers for the year ended September compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $83.7m v $74.3m
  • Underlying profit $107.2m v $83.5m
  • Gross written premium $600m v $595m
  • Large event costs $7.2m v claim back $2.3m
  • Full year dividend 24.5 cents per share v 9.5 cps

The New Zealand-owned company extended its recovery and return to profit, as it sold more policies, boosting its premium income, and benefited from below-average large claims.

“This is an exceptional result, underpinned by Tower’s transformation, driven by investment in our digital platform and continued focus on underwriting discipline, technology, data and efficiency,” chief executive Paul Johnston said.

The company added 5000 new customers to 318,000, as it concentrated on lower-risk policies and competitive pricing, which boosted its housing-insurance revenue.

The bottom-line result was affected by increased Canterbury earthquake claims cost estimates, the ongoing cost of customer remediations and a provision for software impairment.

The company said the Dunedin floods of October 2024 and Cyclone Tam in April were treated as big events, costing $7m.

Storms that hit the country in late October were expected to cost about $4.5m and would be accounted in the coming year’s accounts.

Johnston said the past couple of years had been out of the ordinary and were not likely to continue.

“We expect conditions that influenced the FY24 and FY25 results, such as relatively benign weather and prior-year rating flowing through the portfolio, to normalise in the coming year.”

The company forecasted an underlying profit for the coming year between $55m-65m and has set aside $45m to cover big-disaster claims.

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

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Launch catches fire on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, firefighter injured

Source: Radio New Zealand

Launch on fire on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, near Browns Island. Supplied/Facebook

A launch caught fire in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf this morning, near Browns Island.

Fire and Emergency were called to the incident about 8.15am.

It said the 38-foot-long launch (about 11 metres) was well ablaze, when firefighters arrived on the scene.

FENZ said no-one was injured and about eight firefighters were still working to extinguish the fire.

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

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Police acknowledge IPCA findings regarding Wellington incident

Source: New Zealand Police

Police acknowledge and accept the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) into the deployment of tasers by three officers in Wellington in January 2025.

On 9 January, Police were responding to an urgent family harm incident on Cockayne Road, Wellington, where a man with a weapon was chasing a woman holding a baby in the street.

Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Nick Thom says officers involved assessed the situation and responded accordingly, to ensure the safety of the public.

“Officers deployed their tasers to stop a dangerous situation evolving into something that could have been much worse.

“Our officers have made good decisions and the IPCA investigation supports that.

“Police are often working in fast paced, dynamic environments, and although it is the expectation, I am pleased with the decisions made by staff.”

The IPCA found all three officers were justified in using their tasers in defence of themselves and others.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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Inquiry into handling of the Tom Phillips case announced by government

Source: Radio New Zealand

An inset of Tom Phillips at one of his campsites. RNZ / Supplied / Police

The government has announced an inquiry into the handling of the Tom Phillips case by government authorities.

Phillips died following a shootout with police, when they were called to reports of a burglary in the early hours of 8 September, after 1358 days in the bush with his children.

Phillips shot a police officer several times during the shootout.

On Thursday, Attorney-General Judith Collins announced a public inquiry would be held into the disappearance of the Phillips children.

“The inquiry will look into whether government agencies took all practicable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the Phillips children,” Collins says.

“The decision to establish a public inquiry reflects the significant public interest and concern for the children’s welfare over the almost four years they were missing.

Police believe the Phillips family moved regularly between several sites. NZ Police / Supplied

“It is important that we establish the facts and determine whether agencies could take steps to prevent, or resolve similar situations more quickly and effectively in the future.”

The terms of reference had been developed with the privacy and welfare of the children in mind. The inquiry would therefore be conducted in private and without public hearings.

Collins said the inquiry must also respect the independence of the courts and would not include findings on judicial decisions.

The Honourable Justice Simon Moore, KC, has been appointed as the sole member of the inquiry.

The inquiry would deliver a final report with recommendations by 21 July 2026.

An injunction preventing the media from publishing certain details related to the investigation into Phillips remains in place.

Family’s primary campsites

Last month, police released several photos of what are believed to be the family’s primary campsites. Police had discovered two large, established and “heavily concealed structures” in recent weeks in dense bush surrounding Marokopa.

Detective Superintendent Ross McKay said inquiries to date indicated the Phillips family moved regularly between these sites, the makeshift camps near Te Anga Rd and other locations around Marokopa.

“For the last few weeks, police have been piecing together information and building a picture of Phillips’ movements.

“What is now clear is that Phillips moved regularly from coast to farm to bush in a complex manner that meant he was unlikely to be stumbled across.”

Local search and rescue staff located the new sites – one to the north of Marokopa, the other to the east – which included partially buried, semi-permanent structures concealed by large amounts of vegetation.

The sites included partially buried, semi-permanent structures concealed by large amounts of vegetation. NZ Police / Supplied

“Approaching Phillips in such circumstances would have been extremely dangerous.

“As we’ve said previously, we knew he had firearms and was motivated to use them.”

Investigators had removed a significant number of items from the camps, all of which would now be forensically examined.

“This is a protracted and labour-intensive exercise that forms part of our ongoing enquiries to identify anyone who may have assisted Phillips.

“We continue to make good progress and believe he was assisted by a small number of people at different stages over the last four years.”

All campsites had been cleared and police would not be releasing their specific whereabouts.

McKay earlier said the vast area in which Phillips kept the children was difficult, steep terrain almost completely obscured from all angles by dense bush.

“At various times during the operation, police specialist units such as Special Tactics Group, Armed Offenders Squad, Search and Rescue and Tactical Operations Group, were used.”

Police also had support from the New Zealand Defence Force.

“Police never stopped trying – thousands of hours were dedicated to the search,” McKay said.

“Intelligence played an important role in informing decisions and planning for possible outcomes.

“We also knew, based on previous actions and behavioural science analysis, that Phillips was unlikely to surrender easily and was prepared to put the children in harm’s way.

“The primary objective was locating and returning the children safely.”

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

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Inquiry into the Phillips children disappearance

Source: New Zealand Government

Attorney-General Judith Collins has today announced a Public Inquiry will be held into the disappearance of the Phillips children. 

“The Inquiry will look into whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the safety and welfare of the Phillips children,” Ms Collins says.

“The decision to establish a Public Inquiry reflects the significant public interest and concern for the children’s welfare over the almost four years they were missing.

“It is important that we establish the facts and determine whether agencies could take steps to prevent or resolve similar situations more quickly and effectively in the future.” 

The Terms of Reference have been developed with the privacy and welfare of these especially vulnerable children in mind. The Inquiry will therefore be conducted in private and without public hearings.

It must also respect the independence of the courts and will not include findings on judicial decisions. 

The Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC has been appointed as the sole member of the Inquiry.

Mr Moore served as a Judge of the High Court for 11 years, including six years as the Executive Judge for Auckland. Following his retirement from the High Court in 2024, he was appointed Chair of the Electoral Commission Board.

The Inquiry will deliver a final report with recommendations by 21 July 2026.

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Carving returned to marae after more than 100 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hāmama is back at Rānana Marae after more than 100 years away. Supplied

After more than 100 years in museum exhibitions and storerooms, a carving is back at the marae it was taken from.

The tekoteko Hāmama arrived back at Rānana Marae in the Whanganui district in November, after years of petitioning to have it returned.

Dr Rawiri Tinirau helped uncover the carving’s provenance and told Morning Report it was a special day for the marae when Hāmama was returned.

“Given that the craving Hāmama has been absent from us for such a long time, it was a nice way to spend the day with each other and welcome him home.”

Hapū descendants, local iwi and members of the community gathered at the marae to celebrate the homecoming of Hāmama, which was acquired by the Dominion Museum in 1912, and had been part of the national collection for over 100 years.

Tinirau said there was some ambiguity as to whether Hāmama was taken properly.

“There was certainly some ambiguity over the tekoteko’s provenance, and if you have a look at those early records within the museum, it talked about it being a purchase from a J Thompson.

“But other than that, we were unable to uncover who J Thompson was.”

Tinirau said it was by looking through old photos that they could identify the tekoteko and match it with the marae.

Tinirau said his mum was also able to help identify Hāmama during a visit to the Dominion Museum in the 1980s when she saw some old footage of an expedition up the Whanganui River from the 1920s.

Carved in the 1870s-1880s the tekoteko is an example of the unique carving from the Whanganui region.

“Hāmama was one of our ancestors that must have been an important man because he was named as one of the significant ancestors in the Rānana block where the Rānana Marae is situated. And if you have a look at him, he definitely displays characteristics that are unique to Whanganui River carving.

“For example, he has bulbous eyes, he clutches his tongue. He has, four fingers and a thumb on each hand. His knees are slightly interlocking and facing inward. So those suggest that the carvers definitely came from the Whanganui River.”

After Hāmama was identified, Tinirau was involved in petitioning and letter writing to get the carving back to Rānana Marae, and said the museum “didn’t really have repatriation protocols” and couldn’t deal with requests at the time.

“It wasn’t until the last five or six years that we’ve reengaged with Te Papa and really pushed this kaupapa through.”

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

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Reserve Bank refresh continues

Source: New Zealand Government

Former investment banker Rodger Finlay has been appointed Chair of the Reserve Bank and businesswoman Rhiannon McKinnon has been appointed to the Bank’s Board. 

“The appointments are the latest milestones in the refresh of the Reserve Bank, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

“The Bank now has a new Chair, a new Governor who starts next week, new members of the Board and Monetary Policy Committee, a new Financial Policy Committee, and a new, more modest, funding agreement. In addition, it is operating under a fresh set of expectations from the Government that require it to place greater emphasis on banking competition.”

Nicola Willis says Rodger Finlay has been Deputy Chair of the Bank since February 2023 and has been exercising the functions of the Chair since August.

“I have confidence in him to lead the work to deliver on the Government’s expectations for increased accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline and to focus on the Bank’s statutory responsibilities. 

“He has experience governing large, complex organisations in both the private and public sectors. Past governance roles include chairing NZ Post, Kiwi Group Holdings, NZ Oil and Gas and PGG Wrightson.

Rhiannon McKinnon is a Chartered Financial Analyst and former chief executive of Kiwi Wealth where she managed $10 billion in funds. She coaches and advises CEOs and has had board roles with the NZ Film Commission, CFA Society of NZ and Dress for Success Wellington. 

Rodger Finlay’s appointment is for the remainder of his current term which is to 30 June 2027. Rhiannon McKinnon’s appointment is for five years to 30 November 2030.