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Chatham Island wind farm to slash power prices, cut carbon emissions

Source: Radio New Zealand

The wind farm is designed to give the Chatham Islands a more stable and reliable electricity supply. File photo. 123rf

Chatham Island locals hope a new wind farm will help to slash power prices, cut carbon emissions and reduce their reliance on diesel.

The three turbines at Port Durham Windfarm can deliver more power than the current peak demand, making it possible for the Chatham Islands to run entirely on renewable energy.

The island uses diesel generators which are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions from an ageing ship and fuel price fluctuations.

It means electricity prices on the Chatham Island are about four times higher than the New Zealand average.

Associate Minister for Regional Development Mark Patterson said the wind farm meant the Chatham Islands would have a more stable and reliable electricity supply as well as reducing emissions.

“This initiative means households and businesses on the Chathams will benefit from significantly lower electricity costs, with expected savings of around 40 cents per kiloWatt hour,” he said.

Diesel use was expected to be cut by up to 68 percent, saving approximately $1.2 million each year, he said.

It would more than halve carbon emissions per person from 3.34 tonnes to 1.37 tonnes a year, Patterson said.

The wind farm will be officially opened on Thursday by Patterson after being built in two years on the remote archipelago.

It received a $10 million grant from the previous government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund in 2023.

It also received a $500,000 grant from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The wind farm includes three wind turbines, a storage battery and other infrastructure.

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Motorcyclist dies in Ashburton crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

A motorcyclist has died after a crash involving a car in Ashburton.

Police were called to the crash at the intersection of Hinds Arundel Road and Gills Road about 6pm.

The motorcyclist was found dead at the scene.

The road was expected to be closed for some time and motorists should avoid the area if possible, police said.

The Serious Crash Unit was attending.

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Fire at Auckland LGBTTQIA+ nightclub G.A.Y treated as suspicious

Source: Radio New Zealand

Google Maps

A fire at an Auckland LGBTTQIA+ nightclub at the weekend is being treated as suspicious.

A blaze broke out in G.A.Y on Karangahape Road early on Sunday morning.

It activated a fire alarm, and the road was blocked for an hour while fire crews worked to put it out.

One person was assessed by ambulance staff.

Police have revealed the fire started in a rubbish bin in a bathroom.

They say enquiries are ongoing but the fire is considered suspicious on the information so far.

Investigators will be reviewing security camera footage and further speaking to witnesses.

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Consumers warned to assume imported products not being tested after asbestos scare

Source: Radio New Zealand

The latest coloured sand products to be recalled over asbestos fears. Supplied

Consumers are being warned to assume imported products including kids play things are not being tested and its best to avoid anything that could be contaminated or faulty.

An asbestos scare has prompted a recall of several brands of children coloured play sand.

It expanded yesterday with two more products added; Rainbow Sand Art Toy, approximately 800 units have been sold at various discount stores nationwide, and sand craft.

Some of the coloured sands are laced with tremolite asbestos.

That is despite it being illegal to import any product containing asbestos.

University of Auckland law professor Alex Sims said shoppers should not assume the law is being followed.

“We’ve just seen it with the with the coloured sand, but I think to be honest, it’s not sort of a product that people naturally thought would have asbestos in it.”

Sims told Checkpoint it is up to retailers and importers to do checks on products, but that doesn’t mean it is always being done.

“There’s a whole lot of laws that cover kids toys…. and if you’re importing product it can’t have asbestos in it.”

“There’s lots and lots of laws, but it is up to the people selling it and importing it to make sure that the law is being followed.”

She said products having safety issues is not uncommon and has happened in the past, but often consumers don’t hear about it.

“What often happens is something happens… where some poor child almost dies and then they look into it, and then the prosecutions happens, but this after the fact.”

“One thing that could happen is the Commerce Commission and other people could do spot checks to see that the products are actually meeting specifications, but there’s so many that it might be impossible to do.”

If parents wanted to be reimbursed the cost of asbestos testing or any clean up, Sims said the responsibility lies on the retailer, which is in many cases Kmart.

“Under the Consumer Guarantees Act if a good is not safe, and if it’s contaminated with asbestos it’s not safe, then yes [you are entitled to] a refund of the money, but also the cost of the testing the cost of cleaning,”

“If the colour sand is all through a carpet and it can’t be cleaned properly then the cost of replacing that carpet as well.”

Despite this, Sims said she would be surprised if this would occur.

“The only real way at the moment is for someone to go to the disputes tribunal.”

Schools are also covered under the consumer guarantees act, said Sims.

Despite the laws in place, she said it was ultimately down to buyers to be aware of what they are purchasing.

“Unfortunately the laws don’t work…yes, we’ve got laws, but then as we’ve seen here, they’re not protecting anybody, so it is buyer beware.”

With Christmas around the corner, Sims said for now it might be safest to stick to simpler and more traditional toys, such as wooden items without paint on them.

MBIE product safety spokesman Ian Caplin said the Ministry is working retailers of children’s sand products to understand supply chains and determine the origin of the sand.

The Ministry said it is the retailer’s responsibility to sell a safe product, and the importation of a product containing asbestos is not allowed without a permit.

Kmart did not respond to a request for an interview about its sand products.

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Fatal crash, Ashburton

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash at the intersection of Hinds Arundel Road and Gills Road, Ashburton, this evening.

Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash, involving a car and a motorcycle, around 6pm.

Sadly, the motorcyclist was found deceased at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road is expected to remain closed for some time.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Tall Blacks’ familiar foes first challenge in World Cup cycle

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tohi Smith-Milner from the Tall Blacks and Boomer Angus Glover will clash again in the world cup qualifiers. Jeremy Ward/Photosport

Boomers v Tall Blacks

Friday, 28 November

Tip-off 9.30pm

MyState Bank Arena, Hobart, Tasmania

Live blog updates on RNZ Sport

There will be no secrets between the Tall Blacks and Boomers when the Asia FIBA World Cup qualifiers tip off.

It is hard to have an air of mystery when the opposing coaches worked together for nearly a decade or when most of the players from both sides play in the same competition for 22 weeks at a time.

Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell and Boomers coach Dean Vickerman have both predominately called on players based in the Australian NBL for two games that start the lengthy qualification process for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

Flavell works as an assistant for the Breakers when he is not with the national team, likewise Vickerman is head coach at Melbourne United when he is not stepping in to the Boomers top job to cover for head coach Adam Caporn who has not come back for this qualification window.

The links between the Tall Blacks and Boomers are numerous.

Flavell has coached some of the Boomers and Vickerman has the Tall Blacks captain Finn Delany in his NBL squad. Boomers big man Keanu Pinder matches up with Tall Blacks forward Yanni Wetzell every day in practice for their Akita Northern Happinets side in Japan’s B-League.

Alex Ducas who will represent the green and gold for the first time since 2023 is well aware of what Tall Blacks weapon Tyrell Harrison, who will pull on the black singlet for the first time this year, is capable of as they play together for the Brisbane Bullets.

Friday’s game in Hobart will be the fourth time the Tall Blacks and Boomers have played each other in 2025.

The Australians are leading this year’s tally 2-1 but the Tall Blacks were the winners of the last game played in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown in May in Hamilton.

There are some roster changes from that inaugural series with the New Zealanders injecting some height that Flavell has not had his disposal before now.

Brisbane Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison celebrates during their win over the New Zealand Breakers. photosport

“Sometimes we have the genuine bigs and sometimes we don’t but what a luxury it is to have [Harrison], Yanni Wetzell as well coming back and we have Sam Mennenga and we have Tohi Smith-Milner so genuine size all with a different skillset and our challenge is can we complement that all together and be a cohesive unit in this short window.

“Sometimes they are going to be asked to be interchangeable or be versatile and that is something I think Tall Blacks always have to do. Guys for their club team play a specific role and when they come into Tall Blacks they have to grow and they have to be able to step into these multi positional roles and that’s a strength of the Tall Blacks but that’s the way we have look at it and attack it.”

While the opposition in this qualification window is familiar, Flavell wants the Tall Blacks to also take a closer look at themselves while he looks at the big picture after 13 months in the head coach role.

“It’s given me a great opportunity to gather information over the last 12 months and have a good understanding of who we are again. Our focus for this window is to remember who we are and bring guys together.

“It’s a little bit of a start over again.

“We’re really laying a foundation for what lies ahead…that journey extends for a lot of these guys, for [17-year-old] Jackson [Ball] in particular, hopefully another 10 to 15 years for him so huge for us as Tall Blacks to keep developing our youth.”

The process to qualify for the Basketball World Cup starts in this window, continues in February and July next year. The Tall Blacks will plan to move into the second round of qualifying in August and November 2026 and March 2027. Before the global event in August 2027.

“I don’t think people can plan their lives over the next 16 months but while we can we want to continue to get as many people as we can back into the mix.

“This window is great, timing has worked out people are playing here or close to New Zealand, there are still a number of people who are not here as well but you can never really bank on what life is going to look like in six months time or whenever the next window is but while we have people we try to re-centre back to the Tall Blacks core and back to our kaupapa and remind themselves what it’s like to be a Tall Black and playing together.”

Re-establishing a long-time connection on the international stage

Tall Black Yanni Wetzell. Supplied

Wetzell has not played for the Tall Blacks so far this year and said it was “refreshing” to be back playing under Flavell who first brought him to basketball.

“I played for him as a junior, played for him in my first year as a professional when he was an assistant at South East [Melbourne Phoenix], now he got this job and it was an exciting call up and we have a great relationship so it was a no brainer for me to come back and join this team.

“I know what he likes out of players and we have that player-coach connection where there doesn’t need to be a ton of communication and we know how we see things so we will continue to grow that bond.”

Wetzell is also working on the connection and on-court chemistry with an eye on the world cup and the Olympics.

“There is nothing like playing with Kiwis it’s exciting to see a lot of the talent coming through I feel like we’re leaps and bounds from where we were 10 to 15 years ago.

“There is so much talent, not just within this group but you can see a bunch of these guys signing with big universities over in the States and there is going to be a massive influx of players coming through in the next few years to come.”

Harrison was first involved with the Tall Blacks in 2018 and he also played in Flavell’s first game in charge but the games against the Boomers mark a return to the side for the towering centre.

“I’d say we’re the underdogs but basketball is changing in New Zealand, it’s developing it’s improving and hopefully we can show that these two games as well.”

Harrison wants to be a regular for the national side as he too looks to the big events on the horizon.

“I try be available as much as I can and keep getting around this environment the culture and trying to get used to the coaching staff and the team.”

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Reserve Bank set to deliver further cut to official cash rate

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

  • Reserve Bank to deliver a 25 basis point cut to 2.25 percent
  • Attention on how wide the RBNZ leaves the door open for more if needed
  • Economy performing largely as forecast in August
  • Last appearance of short term governor Christian Hawkesby
  • New governor Anna Bremen starts on 1 December

The Reserve Bank is set to deliver a 25-basis-point cut to the official cash rate (OCR) to a three-year low, but attention will be on the central bank’s commentary and forecasts and how wide it leaves the door open for a further rate cut next year if needed.

The RBNZ has taken barely a year to cut the OCR from 5.5 percent to 2.5 percent, as it has tried to stimulate an economy going backwards while looking to control a revival of inflation pressures, which have edged to the top of the RBNZ’s 1-3 percent target band.

So is it one more cut and then an end to the easing cycle – the so-called ‘one and done’ strategy?

“Our base case is that November will bring the last OCR cut, but the risk remains for further easing in 2026,” ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said.

“The statement’s forecasts and commentary will leave the door wide open for further easing if it is needed. Doing so will keep a lid on wholesale interest rates.”

Tuffley said such an approach would give the RBNZ breathing space to assess the state of the economy, and the strength of emerging signs of growth.

To an extent the RBNZ has boxed itself into a rate cut this week after saying in its October statement it was open to further cuts “as required for inflation to settle sustainably near the 2 percent target mid-point-in the medium term”.

Turning the economic corner

Partial indicators over the past two months have pointed to the economy turning the corner after it effectively stalled in the first half of the year.

BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said a key question was how much slack – the output gap – was in the economy.

“Where it gets interesting is what does the RBNZ think is happening to potential growth?

“Net migration is coming in lower than the bank had assumed. Coupled with anecdotal evidence of increasing job shortages, this suggests that potential growth might need revising down again.”

Current picks for growth in the three months ended September range between 0.3 percent and 0.6 percent.

The slack in the economy is one factor expected to keep downward pressure on inflation.

HSBC chief economist for Australia and New Zealand Paul Bloxham said there were modest signs of an uptick in growth.

“Timely indicators of the manufacturing sector have risen for the past four months, and business sentiment has improved. Electronic card spending figures, building consents, and hours worked have all risen recently.”

He expected the RBNZ monetary policy committee to take a “dovish” tone in its statement with a clear signal that a further cut is on the cards.

The degree of dovishness will show through in its OCR rate track, which the RBNZ has said is only a signal of where the rate might be in coming meetings.

New year, new governor

The coming decision will be the last for governor Christian Hawkesby, who was rushed into the job after the abrupt and messy departure of Adrian Orr, added to by the departure of the chair of the RBNZ board, Neil Quigley.

Hawkesby was a candidate for the permanent appointment, losing out to Anna Bremen from the Swedish central bank who starts on 1 December.

It is expected in time he will return to private investment markets.

Bremen made much in her appointment news conference about the transparency of decision making.

“Will things at the RBNZ ever be the same again? A new governor starts next month who is likely to bring about a greater focus on transparency of the decisions made by the Monetary Policy Committee. We’ll see in February – OCR cut or not, ” Tuffley said.

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Reserve Bank to deliver further cut to official cash rate

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

  • Reserve Bank to deliver a 25 basis point cut to 2.25 percent
  • Attention on how wide the RBNZ leaves the door open for more if needed
  • Economy performing largely as forecast in August
  • Last appearance of short term governor Christian Hawkesby
  • New governor Anna Bremen starts on 1 December

The Reserve Bank is set to deliver a 25-basis-point cut to the official cash rate (OCR) to a three-year low, but attention will be on the central bank’s commentary and forecasts and how wide it leaves the door open for a further rate cut next year if needed.

The RBNZ has taken barely a year to cut the OCR from 5.5 percent to 2.5 percent, as it has tried to stimulate an economy going backwards while looking to control a revival of inflation pressures, which have edged to the top of the RBNZ’s 1-3 percent target band.

So is it one more cut and then an end to the easing cycle – the so-called ‘one and done’ strategy?

“Our base case is that November will bring the last OCR cut, but the risk remains for further easing in 2026,” ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said.

“The statement’s forecasts and commentary will leave the door wide open for further easing if it is needed. Doing so will keep a lid on wholesale interest rates.”

Tuffley said such an approach would give the RBNZ breathing space to assess the state of the economy, and the strength of emerging signs of growth.

To an extent the RBNZ has boxed itself into a rate cut this week after saying in its October statement it was open to further cuts “as required for inflation to settle sustainably near the 2 percent target mid-point-in the medium term”.

Turning the economic corner

Partial indicators over the past two months have pointed to the economy turning the corner after it effectively stalled in the first half of the year.

BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said a key question was how much slack – the output gap – was in the economy.

“Where it gets interesting is what does the RBNZ think is happening to potential growth?

“Net migration is coming in lower than the bank had assumed. Coupled with anecdotal evidence of increasing job shortages, this suggests that potential growth might need revising down again.”

Current picks for growth in the three months ended September range between 0.3 percent and 0.6 percent.

The slack in the economy is one factor expected to keep downward pressure on inflation.

HSBC chief economist for Australia and New Zealand Paul Bloxham said there were modest signs of an uptick in growth.

“Timely indicators of the manufacturing sector have risen for the past four months, and business sentiment has improved. Electronic card spending figures, building consents, and hours worked have all risen recently.”

He expected the RBNZ monetary policy committee to take a “dovish” tone in its statement with a clear signal that a further cut is on the cards.

The degree of dovishness will show through in its OCR rate track, which the RBNZ has said is only a signal of where the rate might be in coming meetings.

New year, new governor

The coming decision will be the last for governor Christian Hawkesby, who was rushed into the job after the abrupt and messy departure of Adrian Orr, added to by the departure of the chair of the RBNZ board, Neil Quigley.

Hawkesby was a candidate for the permanent appointment, losing out to Anna Bremen from the Swedish central bank who starts on 1 December.

It is expected in time he will return to private investment markets.

Bremen made much in her appointment news conference about the transparency of decision making.

“Will things at the RBNZ ever be the same again? A new governor starts next month who is likely to bring about a greater focus on transparency of the decisions made by the Monetary Policy Committee. We’ll see in February – OCR cut or not, ” Tuffley said.

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Man charged after 21yo died while hunting on Stewart Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jock Grant Davies. Facebook

A man has been charged five months after 21-year-old Jock Grant Davies died while hunting on Stewart Island.

The 31-year-old from Ashburton has been charged with careless use of a firearm causing death.

Davies died near Lords River on 5 July, with police notified about midday.

Police say a search and rescue team was deployed to the island via helicopter, where he was found.

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New building for equipment maintenance and repairs at Burnham Military Camp opened

Source: Radio New Zealand

Defence Minister Judith Collins at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $82.7 million regional supply building. Construction is expected to take about two years. Anna Sargent

A new $58 million building for equipment maintenance and repairs at Canterbury’s Burnham Military Camp will help to modernise the Defence Force, the Defence Minister says.

Judith Collins opened The Forge – Te Toki, which housed weapons, army vehicles, tools and spare parts, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday.

She said it was a modern complex that would make it easier for personnel to do their job in an “increasingly complex and very contested world”.

“I just think it’s fabulous and everyone is so excited to be working in it. It’s purpose built, it’s just what the army needed. You’ve got to have your logistics together, you’ve got to be able to do what you have to do in one place,” she said.

Anna Sargent

“By following the same design and process as the Linton facility, it has been delivered ahead of time and $6.25 million under budget.”

Collins was also part of a ceremony marking the start of construction on a $82.7 million regional supply building at the Burnham camp that would act as a key hub for equipment and supplies.

Approximately 600 people would be employed during the construction phase of about two years.

Collins said upgrades to Defence Force infrastructure were important for national resilience and security.

“We are living through the most challenging times that I can remember in my lifetime,” she said.

“The global rules-based order is under pressure, regional sovereignty is being tested and the pace of technological change is accelerating. Defence is not something that can be mothballed until it’s needed. It must be ready, resilient and responsive.

“These new facilities represent a change in how we deliver logistics in support of our military activities.”

Defence Minister Judith Collins on a tour of the new $58 million building for equipment maintenance and repairs at Burnham Military Camp. Anna Sargent

Defence Force vice chief Rear Admiral Mathew Williams said New Zealand was facing its most challenging and dangerous strategic environment for decades.

“These two facilities are significant enablers of our ability to deliver the capabilities that New Zealand needs. At a superficial level, new buildings, equipment and better ways of working improve the job satisfaction of our soldiers and the ability of capabilities essential for a deployable army,” he said.

Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg said the upgrades were important for the district.

“A large amount of our military personnel live and reside here in Selwyn and their kids go to the local schools, and their partners work locally and this is all a big part of the defence upgrade which actually does a lot for the morale of the people and [makes them want to] stay here and be a part of it,” she said.

Collins said improving defence logistics was part of the government’s $12 billion defence capability plan released in April.

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