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Coromandel’s SH25A back in action, ahead of schedule

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Current closures on State Highway 25A (SH25A) across Coromandel will finish up late this afternoon (Tuesday 18 November), 3 days ahead of schedule.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady, says the early finish is thanks to the teams on the ground.

“Our teams made the most of fine weather and good planning and resourcing to get work completed several days ahead of schedule – allowing the road to reopen sooner than anticipated.”

The road will reopen by late afternoon today, at the latest, and has been closed during the day for a major rebuild in the steep and narrow sections of the highway since Monday 10 November.

While there is still some work to complete, it can be done under speed restrictions and occasional stop/go traffic management.

“We acknowledge the disruption the closure caused the community and businesses and we thank everyone for their understanding and patience as this essential rebuild work has taken place.

“Getting the work completed and the road reopened before the peak summer holiday period was a priority” says Mr Brady.

The completed work includes:

  • A significant road rehabilitation upgraded both the drainage system and the road surface, improving long-term resilience and safety.
  • 480 metres of road, including 3600m² of chip sealing, delivering an even and more durable surface for road users.
  • 5 mill-and-fill patches, restoring pavement strength and quality.
  • A reinforced nib wall was built near Troop Falls.

Contractors made the most of the closure to get a lot of other maintenance work done, leaving the highway in top shape for summer.

More than 200 individual maintenance jobs were completed, including edge break, shoulder and pothole repairs, vegetation control, signage maintenance, culvert clearing and other drainage and surfacing work.

The essential rebuild on SH25A followed the week-long closure on SH25 at Boundary Creek bridge on the Thames Coast.

“Another big thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to finish early and to road users for your patience. NZTA is committed to keeping Coromandel connected this summer. Travel safely and enjoy the improved road,” says Mr Brady.

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Whakaari/White Island volcanic ash forces flight cancellations

Source: Radio New Zealand

An Air Chathams plane. Supplied

Whakatāne Airport says ash from Whakaari/White Island has severely impacted services.

Chief executive Mark Read said Air Chathams cancelled morning and afternoon flights in and out of Whakatāne on Tuesday due to the volcanic ash advisory.

Air Chathams’ Whakatāne services fly to Auckland, Paraparaumu and Whanganui.

Volcanic ash also impacted flights at Tauranga Airport in the last 24 hours.

A screen shot of steam rising from Whakaari/White Island on 30 October 2025. Supplied

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said it was forced to cancel the last four flights departing Tauranga on Monday night, along with the first four departures on Tuesday morning.

Tauranga Airport has since resumed services as normal.

The volcano was at alert level 3, denoting a minor eruption, and was seen releasing ash and steam over the weekend.

Forty-seven people were on the Bay of Plenty volcano when it erupted in December 2019, killing 22 and seriously injuring 25.

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State-of-the-art $16 million operating theatre for Wellington

Source: New Zealand Government

Health New Zealand has approved $16.25 million in funding for the establishment of a new advanced hybrid operating theatre, which will allow patients at Wellington Regional Hospital to access faster, safer, and more advanced surgical care, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“It is a significant milestone for Wellington and a major step forward in our commitment to providing world-class healthcare closer to home.”

A hybrid operating theatre is a specialised surgical space that brings together advanced imaging technology and traditional surgical capability. This allows multi-disciplinary teams to complete highly complex procedures – including trauma, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology – all in one location, without moving patients between theatres and imaging suites.

“Currently, patients in Wellington are being transferred between operating theatres and interventional suites, which can create delays and extend recovery times for patients.

“The new $16.25 million hybrid theatre directly addresses those challenges, delivering the highest standard of care in a single, seamless environment.

“It will replace the current model where a single patient may need to be seen by two different teams in separate rooms. By consolidating care in one space, Wellington Regional Hospital will be able to increase its surgical output, allowing more patients to receive timely, quality treatment.

“Recovery times will also improve, as patients will no longer require multiple procedures across separate settings.

“Projects like this are essential for reducing pressure on our health system. By eliminating duplication, improving surgical workflows, and giving clinicians the tools they need to work efficiently, we are strengthening healthcare delivery across the region.

“We are committed to investing in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities so New Zealanders can access world-class surgical care right here in Wellington. This hybrid theatre is a clear example of how smart, targeted infrastructure investment delivers better outcomes for patients and builds a more resilient health system for the future.”

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Nations Championship gets thumbs down from former NZ Rugby boss

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Blacks back Will Jordan dejected following defeat to England. www.photosport.nz

Former New Zealand Rugby chief executive David Moffett believes World Rugby’s new Nations Championship will be a flop.

The 12 team tournament will be held every two years, with teams competing for points during the existing July and November windows.

There will be a finals weekend in London in late November, culminating in a title decider between the top ranked Northern Hemisphere team and the top ranked Southern Hemisphere team.

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor in action against England. ActionPress

Next year, the All Blacks will host France, Italy and Ireland in July, before away tests against Wales, Scotland and England in November.

The venues for the All Blacks home tests are yet to be confirmed.

Moffett told RNZ it would not be the financial boon World Rugby hopes it would be.

“I’m not overly blown away by it,” Moffett said.

“It’s just another dressed-up competition that World Rugby has come up with. Let’s not kid ourselves that this is going to be the solution to all of rugby’s ills.

“I’m not so sure that too many people are going to care about it. International rugby today I liken to the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup is a carnival that comes around once a year and a whole lot of people go and watch with no real interest in racing.

“That’s what we’re seeing happening around the world with rugby events.”

David Moffett. Photosport

Moffett believes the Nations Championship could lose money and used the Sevens World Series as an example.

“Look at Sevens, we don’t have a (international) Sevens tournament in this country anymore because they (World Rugby) decided there was going to be nine rounds and they’re going to be played in these great venues all around the world and everybody’s going to race out and want to play Sevens.

“Well none of that’s happened, the only thing that really happened is I think they’ve lost about 40 million euros this year on the Sevens tournament alone.”

However, New Zealand Rugby’s Cameron Good is confident fans will get behind the concept.

“I think it just means that every game in July and November matters,” Good said.

“We’re creating a competition that’s played outside of World Cup and Lions years. It creates that real jeopardy around every fixture, building up to what will be a new final series at the end of November.

“New Zealand rugby, if you look at what we’ve built for the next five years, we’re trying to introduce really fan-centric (games), what the fans want.

“We have the Greatest Rivalry Tour (2026 All Blacks tour of South Africa) and the Nations Championship, meaning there’s no talk now of friendlies. Every single game in July and November will matter. You’ll see it on a table. You’ll be following your team and seeing who they’ll match up against in that finals weekend.

“The All Blacks are now going to play every six-nations team, either home or away, in these Nations Championship years and then the final series is something completely new. So we’ve added a weekend to the international calendar.”

And Good is confident it will be a financial success.

“The fact that you’ve got all Six Nations teams, all Sanzaar teams, and we’ve invited Japan and Fiji in, we think this will resonate with fans, but also with broadcasters and commercial partners.

“We’re already pretty advanced with a lot of those conversations. It’s something new and different, but we think it’ll heighten what happens in those July and November windows and then give us something completely new with that finals weekend.”

ActionPress

He believes the Northern and Southern hemisphere rivalry is something fans want more of.

“You will find out who the best team in the world was in that year and you’ll also get to definitively decide or know which hemisphere is the better hemisphere,” Good said.

“There’s always a lot of speculation about North vs South in rugby. This will actually allow us to say who came through as the hemisphere in that year.”

Moffett believes the Nations Championship could detract from the four yearly World Cup, but Good isn’t concerned.

“Ultimately, in a World Cup, you’ve got to go through a round of 16, a quarter, a semi and a final, so there’s a uniqueness about prevailing at a World Cup.

“This (Nations Championship) is quite a different format, obviously less teams involved. Certainly in those World Cup years, that will be the pinnacle event. There is no Nations Championship in those years.”

One of the criticisms of the Nations Championship is that it only serves the world’s top teams and isn’t doing a lot to help grow the game or help tier two nations improve.

Good said a second competition which mirrored the Nations Championship was in the pipeline for the lower ranked sides.

“We’re working with World Rugby to help them create, I guess, the second tier of the Nations Championship. That will include the next 12 ranked teams in the world and will run in the same July and November windows.”

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

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New Zealand awarded dubious ‘Fossil of the Day’ at COP30 climate talks

Source: Radio New Zealand

View of the logo of COP30 UN Climate Change Conference, in Belem, Para state, Brazil, taken on 6 November 2025. AFP / Ludovic Marin

New Zealand has been given the ignominious ‘Fossil of the Day’ award at the COP30 global climate summit, for its decision to weaken methane emissions policies.

It’s the fourth time New Zealand has received the dud award, handed out by climate NGO Climate Action Network International and designed to shame countries that block progress at the annual talks.

New Zealand was last named Fossil of the Day in 2023, for the National-led government’s decision to reverse the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration.

It has previously been given the award in 2022 for pushing to delay setting up a loss and damage fund to compensate poorer countries bearing the brunt of climate change-fuelled extreme weather, and in 2021 for the then-Labour government’s decision not to update New Zealand’s emissions target.

Unlike carbon dioxide, which warms the atmosphere for centuries, methane is a short-lived gas but has huge warming potential.

Reducing methane has attracted growing attention as an ’emergency brake’ on warming while the world works on technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and remove them from the air.

But in October, the government said it would lower New Zealand’s methane emissions target, after a review found that was sufficient to meet a controversial ‘no additional warming’ goal.

It also scrapped an earlier promise to introduce a price on agricultural methane by 2030.

Climate Action Network International said the weakened methane target was “not science-based”.

“It is certainly not consistent with the Paris Agreement or with the [UN Framework Convention on Climate Change] principles of equity and responsibility.”

About half of New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas emissions are methane emissions – mostly produced by agriculture.

Climate Change minister Simon Watts [ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/578698/climate-change-minister-defends-weakened-methane-emissions-target-ahead-of-cop30] defended the change in New Zealand’s methane policies before he headed to COP30, being held in Belém, Brazil.

He said reducing the size of New Zealand’s dairy herd was “not economically rational” and he believed methane-inhibiting technology being developed would be sufficient to meet the new target, without a methane tax.

Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larsson said the latest Fossil of the Day award was “embarrassing but it’s sadly not surprising”.

Amanda Larsson. RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell

“Fossil of the Day is the award no country wants to receive, and today, the shame of receiving it is on Christopher Luxon’s Government, who are weakening the requirements for our most polluting industry to take action on climate change.”

Larsson said the change to the target followed agriculture industry lobbying and directly contradicted advice from the Climate Change Commission to strengthen the methane target.

The ‘no additional warming’ target – which aims to get New Zealand’s methane emissions back to 2017 levels, was an “accounting trick”, Larsson said.

“Other major livestock producers will be looking to us to see whether this approach is worthwhile. Our government has just lit the fuse on a global methane race to the bottom – once one domino falls, others will follow.”

Climate Minister Simon Watts. RNZ / Nick Monro

Earlier in the week, University of Canterbury professor of physics David Frame told RNZ it was “a good idea” to work on methane, “but only if this is additional to [carbon dioxide] mitigation”.

New Zealand remains a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to lower methane emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030.

Frame, who served on the independent panel that was tasked with finding an emissions range consistent with ‘no additional warming’, said if the world as a whole adopted ‘no additional warming’ as a target, methane emissions would drop by four percent over the next decade.

“That would be progress compared with actual trends.”

New Zealand was not incentivising agricultural methane emissions reductions as well as it could, though.

“We should… explore a [low] price on methane emissions, because it’s among the best-justified and most effective policy approaches,” he said.

“This government may have ruled out a methane price, but governments are like buses – there are new ones along from time to time. Good ideas have a habit of hanging around until someone tries them.”

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

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Space achievers awarded PM’s space prizes

Source: New Zealand Government

Co-founder and CEO of Dawn Aerospace Stefan Powell and Southland schoolgirl Sophie Ineson are this year’s recipients of the Prime Minister’s Space Prizes.

“These prizes highlight the extraordinary talent and vision driving our space industry forward today and celebrate the next generation,” Mr Luxon says.

“Stefan and Dawn Aerospace have made a remarkable impact on our space industry. Stefan’s leadership shows how innovation and excellence in this sector are fuelling economic growth, creating high-value jobs and attracting global investment to New Zealand.

“Year 12 student Sophie’s innovative research exploring how Southland’s natural materials could enhance wound care for astronauts is highly impressive.  

“This kind of forward-thinking not only holds promise for space exploration but also for the future of healthcare on Earth.” 

Ms Collins says this year’s winners exemplify the vision, innovation and dedication of people and businesses in the rapidly growing industry.

“An economic report released earlier this year confirms just how significant the space and advanced aviation sectors are to New Zealand’s economy, with space sector revenue growing 53 percent to $2.68 billion in the five years to 2024. The advanced aviation sector, which overlaps with the space sector, generated an estimated $530 million in revenue in 2024. 

“Our space sector supports approximately 17,000 skilled jobs – up from 12,000 in 2019 – while our advanced aviation sector supports 3700 jobs,” Ms Collins says.   

“This growth is a testament to people like Stefan and Sophie, and these prizes shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and ingenuity driving these sectors. I am proud to celebrate their achievements as we continue to position New Zealand as a leader in the global space industry.”

As winners of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Space Prizes, Stefan Powell will receive $100,000 and Sophie Ineson will receive $50,000 which is intended to support tertiary education.

More information about the winners is available on the Prime Minister’s Space Prize website: www.pmspaceprizes.org.nz. 

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Two IKEA pop-ups give fans a glimpse of the goods before first NZ store opens

Source: Radio New Zealand

The first IKEA store in NZ opens in early December, alongside online shopping. TVNZ Seven Sharp

IKEA is opening two pop-up stores ahead of its first New Zealand store, but just for window shoppers.

The Swedish furniture giant’s Auckland showroom will open in early December at Sylvia Park. From Tuesday, Christchurch shoppers can browse what it’s calling a “curated collection of popular products” from Tuesday until 10 December.

The pop-up is in Cathedral Square and will also include original works from local artists such as Miranda Parkes, Adam Popovic and Dcypher.

On 28 November, another will open in Wellington at Odlins Plaza and that will feature movie-inspired posters and trailers, created by illustrators and VFX artists from the city.

IKEA has also released some details of products and the prices it will charge in New Zealand.

One of the first products IKEA says it will sell in NZ, a watering can for $4.99. Supplied/IKEA

IKEA will open at Sylvia Park on 4 December, with online sales to the rest of the country.

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What is workslop?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Workslop masquerades as meaningful, it may appear superficially polished, and yet requires others to interpret, fix, or even redo it.

It’s a growing source of frustration in the workplace, Dr Kate Niederhoffer a social psychologist told RNZ’s Afternoons.

She is vice president of Texas-based BetterUp Labs and co-authored a study on workslop when she started to hear anecdotal evidence of it. 

Kate Niederhoffer.

Photo courtesy BetterUp

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Infrastructure Pipeline shows significant increase

Source: New Zealand Government

The latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission show the National Infrastructure Pipeline now includes nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects worth a total of $275 billion, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

“The Pipeline provides an independent view of current and future infrastructure projects and programmes across the country, from roads, to water infrastructure, to schools, and more, and includes central government, local government and private sector projects,” Mr Bishop says.

“Good infrastructure planning relies on good information. The more comprehensive the Pipeline becomes, the more value it delivers – helping to grow the economy, support jobs, and lift productivity across New Zealand.

“The Infrastructure Commission’s newly released snapshot report is based on September submissions to the Pipeline from 129 infrastructure providers, which now includes nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects, shows real momentum. 

“We’re seeing projects advancing, information improving, and the total value of infrastructure initiatives in the Pipeline climbing to $275 billion, up from $237 billion in June this year.

“We’re also now seeing $181 billion worth of initiatives with full or partial funding commitments, or a confirmed funding source. This is up $56 billion from June.

“This lift is great news for the construction sector and the wider economy. A stronger, clearer picture of funded work gives the sector the confidence to plan ahead, retain staff, and invest in capability.”

The Pipeline records current and future infrastructure projects from central government, local government, and the private sector, covering transport, water, education, health, housing, and more. It provides a national view of investment activity underway or being planned, supporting better decisions across the system.

“At the end of September this year there were $61 billion of infrastructure projects under construction, and another $20 billion progressing through planning and scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months,” Mr Bishop says.

“In addition to funded projects, the Pipeline includes early-stage initiatives that have not yet secured a funding source.

“These early-stage initiatives matter too. They help signal future demand, highlight market constraints and opportunities, and support workforce planning. A more complete Pipeline is better for everyone – from councils and contractors to central government agencies.

“This growth reflects better reporting, more initiatives being captured, and improved information quality. A clear view of both committed investments and the large set of options that may seek funding is vital for good decision-making,” Mr Bishop says.

“The September update will also inform the final stages of the National Infrastructure Plan, which will provide forward guidance on a sustainable investment path for infrastructure, highlight large unfunded Pipeline initiatives, and set out recommendations to improve system performance.

“The Pipeline is steadily moving toward a more complete picture of regional and sectoral infrastructure activity, although there is still room for improvement.”

Read the latest Pipeline update: https://tewaihanga.govt.nz/the-pipeline/pipeline-snapshot

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Serko sees strong revenue growth, while posting increased loss

Source: Radio New Zealand

Serko handles corporate travel management and expenses, and operates the Booking.com for Business platform. Unsplash

Travel software company Serko posted a bigger bottom-line half-year loss driven by one-offs, but its income surged, thanks to its partnership with US giant Booking.com.

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

  • Net loss $9.5m vs $5.1m loss
  • Revenue $61.8m vs $42.7m
  • Operating expenses $65.1m vs $50.4m
  • Adjusted earnings (EBITDAFI) $6.1m vs $1.2m
  • Free cash flow $3.0 vs $1.3m
  • No dividend

Serko said the increased loss was driven by foreign exchange losses and a non-cash accounting loss on the sale of its InterplX expense business.

It said momentum in its Booking.com for business drove the result, with completed room nights up 32 percent to 2.1 million, while active customers increased 40 percent from a year ago.

“Our performance reinforces Serko’s continued track record and ability to deliver high growth and cost discipline as we execute on our strategic focus areas,” chief executive Darrin Grafton said.

Grafton said the company was also looking at opportunities from artificial intelligence.

“Serko is well positioned to unlock the full value of AI as a core pillar of our strategy and product roadmap.”

The company was co-designing AI-powered capabilities with customers in the US, and said it had received positive engagement.

It said Australasian travel revenue was stable, with online bookings up 2 percent and improved margins.

Serko reaffirmed its full-year income guidance of $115-$123 million, compared to $90.5m in the year ended March 2024.

Forsyth Barr senior analyst James Lindsay said the result was “solid” with total income slightly ahead of expectations.

He noted Serko’s balance sheet remained strong with net cash of $65m.

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