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Judgement Day: Why just winning in Cardiff won’t cut it for the All Blacks

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wales v All Blacks

Kick-off: 4:10am Sunday 23 November

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Live blog updates on RNZ

Analysis – A high pressure system has arrived directly over the All Blacks this week, ironically as they prepare to face easily the weakest team on their schedule in the last test of the year. Wales are arguably at the lowest ebb in their long, proud history, but that’s a conversation for that side of the world – right now, we’re one poor result away from a full on All Black crisis.

On the surface, nine wins from 12 tests doesn’t look too far away from the Springboks’ 10 from 12. However, Rassie Erasmus’ side is the gold standard after a big win against France and ability to roll out almost two completely different starting teams of equal quality.

Quite simply, the Springboks are only getting better as the season progresses, while you can’t say that about the All Blacks at all. In fact, in some tactical areas they’ve definitely gone backwards, and this weekend in Cardiff will show just where Scott Robertson’s overarching strategy regarding depth is at.

Photosport Ltd 2021/ Matt Impey

Robertson has already confirmed that the team will be rotated, which admittedly anyone could have guessed once the tour schedule was announced. There are several players in the squad that have been waiting for their turn to impress, while a couple more that have had to be put into the main test lineup already.

Whether the All Blacks like it or not, this test is going to be the one that could really expose a far more structural weakness and it’s a bit of a no-win situation anyway. It’s not like they’re going to lose – Wales are so bad they’d struggle to make the NPC playoffs – but they do have the ability to frustrate the All Blacks into playing poorly themselves.

Think back to the corresponding fixture last year, against Italy in Turin. It was a stinker in every sense of the word, with the Italians once again dragging the All Blacks down to their level and producing one of the least memorable displays of rugby in recent history. It says a lot that the most notable performance to come out of it was TJ Perenara leading the haka.

TJ Perenara, centre, leads the All Blacks haka ahead of their rugby test against Italy in Turin. November 2024. PHOTOSPORT

The All Blacks can’t afford a blundering stagger to the finish line, but even if they do smash Wales convincingly, it won’t be the main team that did it anyway. So really it rests on the performances of the newly rotated players to answer any questions regarding depth, but even then the ones over the coaching and direction will remain.

In their defence, the depth perception has been clear already in second row. Josh Lord has stepped up in Patrick Tuipulotu’s absence and Scott Barrett’s injury and showing just why the All Blacks have persisted with him despite the numerous injury issues of his own.

So now hopefully we’ll find out about a few more and what it might mean for the future, but even then, it might throw a spanner in the works regarding how valuable the All Black high performance set up is. George Bell and Sam Darry will get decent game time and if they go well, it’ll say more about the usefulness of them playing almost an entire NPC campaign with Canterbury.

This will very much be a test of how well prepared the All Black system is at priming the wider squad. Let’s just hope it’s more aesthetically pleasing than the shocker last year in Turin.

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

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Emergency housing motels end in Rotorua – but has it just shifted the problem elsewhere?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government is celebrating the end of emergency housing motels in Rotorua – but Labour says it has just shifted the problem elsewhere.

Rotorua became the country’s epicentre for emergency housing.

At its peak, there were more than 240 households across 13 motels. Now there are zero families in motels.

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka, who holds responsibility for the emergency housing portfolio, said Rotorua had become the “poster child” of a broken housing system, and its end reflected “deliberate, coordinated action”.

In 2023, National campaigned on ending emergency housing in Rotorua motels within two years.

“Rotorua whānau, businesses and mana whenua had been pleading for change for years. We listened and acted. We have restored safety, dignity and confidence to a city that was forced to absorb the consequences of a failed housing model,” Potaka said.

Referrals into emergency housing motels ended on 15 June with agencies working “intensively” to secure permanent placements.

The Ministry for Social Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had worked with Visions of a Helping Hand, WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust, Emerge Aotearoa, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Restore Rotorua and the Rotorua Lakes Council to move every household into “stable, secure homes”.

Through partnership with Ngāti Whakaue, 240 affordable rental housing units were being built at Manawa Gardens.

The remaining motels were now preparing to return to commercial operations, Potaka said.

“Rotorua is finally back on the front foot, it is safer, stronger, and open for growth. Our government will keep backing Rotorua to reclaim its reputation, grow its tourism economy, strengthen its housing supply, and unlock new opportunities for the city,” Potaka said.

But Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said the announcement was “tone deaf” and he did not know who Potaka was “trying to kid” by celebrating.

Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“No one is pretending that emergency housing was the solution to the housing crisis, but it’s a hell of a lot better than people sleeping on the streets. And all the minister is doing today is celebrating shifting people out of emergency housing to in front of families’ homes and businesses. That’s it, and it’s not much of a thing to celebrate.”

McAnulty said he had recently visited Rotorua and counted eight homeless people in one block of the town centre.

In January, Potaka announced the government had met its target to reduce the overall number of households in emergency housing by 75 percent five years early.

The Ministry of Social Development had also tightened the gateway for those trying to access emergency housing.

McAnulty said the government was focusing on people that had left emergency housing but did not want to talk about the people that could not get in.

“Emergency housing was only ever intended to temporarily house people while social houses were being built. But let’s look at what the government are doing. Kāinga Ora are no longer expanding their numbers. The funding that’s gone to community housing providers is a fraction of what they were getting under the Labour government, and people can’t get into emergency housing, and now they’ve closed them all together,” he said.

“It’s no surprise that homelessness is now what frontline providers are saying the worst in living memory.”

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

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Smoking rate reduces to 6.8 per cent

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has welcomed the latest New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) results showing smoking rates reducing to 6.8 per cent. 

“Most of the survey data shows a continuation of the great progress that’s been made in the last few years – especially with falling numbers of Pacific peoples’ smokers and very low rates of youth smoking,” Ms Costello says.

“Over the last six years the Pacific peoples smoking rate has halved, while smoking rates are lowest in our young people, signalling a generational shift away from cigarettes. The smoking rate for 15–24-year-olds is 3.2 per cent, down from 19.2 per cent when the survey started 13 years ago.

Ms Costello said that New Zealand had the third lowest smoking rate in the OECD.  

“New Zealand has made some of the best progress in reducing smoking rates in the world – these latest survey results show adult daily smoking has halved in the last decade.”

“These are the sorts of results we want to see – the Government is committed to reducing smoking rates and the harm from smoking.

“However, we are now at the most challenging part of the process. The progress New Zealand has made means that those who currently smoke cigarettes are mostly older, long-term smokers and since the start of the Smokefree work, they have been the most difficult group to get to quit.

“All of the tools, supports and approaches that have worked so well over the last few years are still in place. We need to build on these and target the key populations – older smokers and especially Māori and Pacific peoples. Māori and Pacifica smoking rates have fallen significantly over the last five years, but this trend has to continue. 

The Government’s approach is to take practical steps to provide smokers the tools to quit and stay quit, Ms Costello said.

“I want to ensure we are making the best use of the resources in this area, including getting people to engage with quit smoking providers and I’m looking at further regulatory change to ensure we have a regime that reflects the harm of products and has appropriate controls on the market.

“Now that we have strengthened the rules around youth vaping, one simple thing we need to do is be very clear that vaping has been a great tool to help thousands of people stop smoking.”

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Law passed to support NZ’s defence and security

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation ensuring national security is maintained during industrial action has passed its final reading in Parliament today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.

“The security of New Zealand is a 24/7 issue, and our Defence Force works 365 days a year to preserve it. The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill allows the Chief of Defence Force to better manage their workforce to ensure New Zealand’s security,” says Ms Collins.

“The civilian staff in our Defence Force play an important role in keeping New Zealand safe – whether through providing security at military bases, testing capabilities and technology, or aircraft maintenance. 

“Under the previous legislation there were times when industrial action could put New Zealand’s national security at risk or impact the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) ability to deliver the tasks expected of it. For example, when NZDF civilian staff take industrial action, this could mean munitions and weapons stores are left unguarded.

“This issue was highlighted when civilian staff took industrial action last December. The Government moved quickly to ensure that settings are pragmatic and fit for purpose.”

This Bill broadens the Minister’s ability to authorise uniformed personnel to conduct the work of NZDF civilian staff when national security or the delivery of core defence outputs are at risk.

It also streamlines this process by removing the requirement for Parliament to debate how the NZDF manages redeployment within its own organisation. Instead, the Minister can set a time limit for an authorisation, which cannot extend beyond the period of strike action.

“These changes preserve the right for civilian staff to take industrial action, while ensuring the security and safety of New Zealanders,” says Ms Collins.  

“We’ve also made common-sense changes to the rare circumstance in which military personnel are used to backfill public servant roles outside the NZDF. These include increasing the duration of a Ministerial authorisation from 14 to 30 days and removing the requirement for Parliament to reconvene if an authorisation expires while the House is not sitting.

“In a deteriorating strategic environment, this Bill ensures that our Defence Force is ready and able to protect New Zealand and its interests.”

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Weather: Bay of Plenty on alert for possible floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

The heavy rain warnings in place in Bay of Plenty. MetService screenshot

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has activated its flood room protocols as it prepares for a downpour.

MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Bay of Plenty until 11pm on Wednesday, with 80mm to 110mm of rain on top of what has already fallen expected.

In a statement on social media the Bay of Plenty Regional Council said it was reacting as a result of the wet weather.

“This means our flood team is set up to monitor the situation 24/7 as it develops. We will be providing real-time river level information to supporting agencies (such as local councils and Waka Kotahi), to assist with planning and responding to local communities.

“We’ll also have our flood monitoring team out in the field. It’s their job to be the eyes and ears on the ground, checking flood defences (such as stopbanks and floodwalls), monitoring river levels, flows and rainfall and reporting back to the Flood Room.”

The council said members of its operations team were also out in the community, checking the condition of the flood infrastructure, assessing the weather conditions in key areas and pumping out flood waters from any drainage canals where needed.

“Your local council is also monitoring the situation and will be providing updates via their websites and social media channels around roading, blocked culverts/drains, and water/stormwater/wastewater.”

Heaviest rain in Auckland CBD

Meanwhile, central Auckland bore the brunt of the rain earlier on Wednesday, MetService says.

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island (until 2pm), Waitomo, Waikato and Taupō (until 6pm), Bay of Plenty (until 11pm) and Tongariro National Park (until 10pm).

MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said all those areas had received a “decent amount” of rain overnight.

It was heaviest in Auckland, particularly in the central city, he said.

Have you been caught up in the weather? Share your stories and pictures with us at iwitness@rnz.co.nz

“Some stations in Auckland have recorded about 15.5mm of rain in the period of an hour, some even as high as 21mm of rain,” he said.

There was a possibility of flooding with that amount of rain, Magwala said.

The band of rain would move eastwards throughout the day, easing before another band was due to ramp up again in the afternoon.

Gisborne was not under a weather warning, but the rain was heading that way later this afternoon, he said.

After Wednesday, high pressure would begin to build, Magwala said, “giving us some more settled weather for a couple of days”.

Taumarunui and Taihape north of Ohakune, as well as Taranaki are also under heavy rain watches until Wednesday.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reported flooding on State Highway 25 Whitianga to Tairua on Wednesday morning with delays and detours expected until further notice.

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

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Unions call on Govt to pass corporate manslaughter law

Source: NZCTU

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on the Government to honour the memories of the workers who lost their lives fifteen years ago today at the Pike River Mine by supporting a corporate manslaughter law.

“Corporations should not be above the law. If they are responsible for workplace deaths, they must be held criminally liable,” said NZCTU President Sandra Grey.

“We are today releasing a policy that calls on the Government to introduce a new crime of corporate manslaughter. This would hold corporations guilty for acts of culpable killing and give the public confidence that corporations and their managers will be held to account.

“Tragedies such as the Pike River Mine disaster demonstrate that corporations can and do kill workers. It is past time that our law is updated to ensure justice for victims.

“New Zealand has a terrible record. One worker dies every week on the job, and 17 more from work-related illnesses. Every single death is preventable.

“This law would mark a paradigm shift in how health and safety is recognised and enforced at every level. It would ensure that the most extreme breaches of health and safety obligations result in criminal liability.

“The work has already been done. All the Government needs to do is support Adrian Rurawhe’s Members Bill, the Crimes (Corporate Homicide) Amendment Bill.  

“We acknowledge the incredible work of campaigners including Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne who have fought tirelessly for justice. Government needs to listen to them,” said Grey.

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Four accused in Gulf Harbour body in bag case to represent themselves in court

Source: Radio New Zealand

The victim, Shulai Wang of China. Supplied / Police

Four people charged over the death of a woman whose body was found in plastic bags in the waters of Auckland’s Gulf Harbour, have chosen to represent themselves at their trial next year.

The body, which was discovered by a fisherman in March last year, was later identified as 70-year-old Shulai Wang.

Two men and two women are facing charges of kidnapping and manslaughter, and are set to face trial in May next year.

All have interim name suppression.

The younger of the men is also facing additional charges of perverting the course of justice and giving false information to immigration officers.

At an administrative appearance at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, their lawyer Ron Mansfield told the court the four defendants wanted to act on their own behalf for their trial, and he was withdrawing from the case.

Justice Mathew Downs spoke to each of the defendants, two of whom needed the assistance of a Mandarin interpreter, to confirm their decision.

“You understand that you and other defendants are facing a serious charge as manslaughter,” Justice Downs asked the younger of the two male defendants.

The defendant said “We understand”.

Asked if he wished to represent himself, the man said: “yes we all do”.

Justice Downs said he would ask each of the defendants separately as the man shouldn’t be able to speak for all the others.

He also told the man “I don’t know a human on the earth that would recommend you defend yourself”, but later added he respected their decision.

The younger of the two female defendants also told the judge that she wished to defend herself in trial.

The remaining two defendants, who required interpretation, appeared confused when asked by Justice Downs what they wanted to do in the criminal trial.

Justice Downs told the younger male defendant that he could appoint standby lawyers to help them with their defences, and asked if he would like to do that.

The defendant said, “we still prefer we can communicate directly with the court so there will be no misunderstanding”.

Justice Downs approved Mansfield’s application to withdraw from the case and said he needed to reflect on what should be done in relation to the defendants.

He set a date in December to discuss with the defendants about their decision to self-represent, and whether standby lawyers will be appointed for each of them.

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

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Special Olympics flame in Tasman this weekend

Source: New Zealand Police

Media is invited to attend the Tasman Law Enforcement Torch Run event to take photos and interview participants, including some of the local Special Olympics stars.

What: Law Enforcement Torch Run in Nelson

Where: Meet outside the Nelson Police station at 9am. Departing at 9.15am, and finishing at the church steps at the top of Trafalgar Street.

When: Saturday 22 November 2025

Who: Tasman District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police

Police contact: Rupert Friend 021 191 1263

Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239

Police will be part of something special this weekend supporting Tasman’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run will happen this Saturday 22 November at 9.15am and marks the countdown to the National Summer Special Olympics Games.

Known as Guardians of the Flame police members, along with Special Olympics athletes from Marlborough, Motueka, Nelson and West Coast, will carry the Flame of Hope to get local communities excited about the Games.

Athletes, supporters and Police will assemble at 9am, and start moving at 9.15am. The route will take us from the Nelson Police station, down Bridge Street, then up Trafalgar Street.

“Seeing the Flame of Hope means that the games are just around the corner,” says Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey.

The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run, which started in Northland on October 4, is working its way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the games start.

The countdown is on:

The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 December.

Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, “We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement”.

The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms including Polar Plunges.

We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics.

“We encourage all kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

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NZ Cricket record another surplus, reserves at record high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

New Zealand Cricket says a $2.2 million surplus for the financial year, turning around a forecasted $6.8m deficit, shows it’s in a strong financial position.

Board chairperson Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said the organisation had a strong bottom line, with reserves at a record $37m, supported by strong broadcasting agreements, high-value playing programmes, and a solid commercial base.

The 2025 result follows an $8m surplus in 2024 and Puketapu-Lyndon said the position underlines NZ Cricket’s stability and resilience.

“A small net surplus represents a significant outperformance against budget, reflecting prudent management and disciplined oversight – through what was a challenging operating environment.

“… [It] should provide confidence in its ability to continue investing in the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.”

Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged the role of its members in contributing to a cricket ecosystem well-placed to adjust and adapt to future needs.

“Cricket here has never been a one-size-fits-all affair and NZC places great value in the ability of our major and district associations, and clubs to understand what works best in their regions and catchments.

“We’re committed to working closely with them to ensure they’re well equipped to service the grassroots environment upon which our entire game is based.”

Meanwhile, former New Zealand Test player, coach and selector Mark Greatbatch has been elected president of New Zealand Cricket.

Greatbatch, who played 41 Tests and 84 One Day Internationals for his country between 1988 and 1996, replaces Lesley Murdoch, who completed her three-year term.

On the board, Sarah Beaman rotated off at the end of her three-year term and opted against re-standing. Kevin Malloy rotated off and was re-elected for a third term.

The meeting elected three life members: former Test players Rebecca Rolls, Martin Snedden, and Ewen Chatfield.

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