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Joint New Zealand – Uruguay statement

Source: New Zealand Government

Joint Declaration Uruguay – New Zealand on the occasion of the visit to Uruguay of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand

(Montevideo, March 3, 2026)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand expressed their satisfaction with the excellent state of the bilateral relationship, highlighting that both countries maintain a strong and enduring friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, ties have broadened and deepened, benefiting their peoples through their long-standing cooperation, which has been mutually beneficial and supported the prosperity of both nations. 

Both Ministers underscored that the partnership between Uruguay and New Zealand is grounded in a deep alignment of values and a shared vision regarding the defense of multilateralism, democracy, and human rights, as well as in their openness to the world and shared character as small, open democracies, which makes Uruguay and New Zealand natural partners.  

They emphasised that respect for international law and international humanitarian law constitutes an essential element for international peace and security. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening global environmental governance, including upholding the Antarctic Treaty System that protects Antarctica as a natural reserve for peace and science. 

The Ministers reaffirmed their support for upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Venezuela, and stressed the importance of the people of Venezuela determining their country’s political future. Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to the sustainable restoration of democratic order in Venezuela. They reiterated the importance of releasing all persons unjustly and arbitrarily detained for political reasons and for exercising freedom of opinion and expression, a central element for laying the foundations for a genuine and constructive political dialogue. 

Ministers reflected that the conflict with Iran is a complex and dangerous situation that is evolving rapidly. Both countries expressed their serious concern about further military escalation in the region and agreed that adherence to international law and respect for International Humanitarian Law, military deescalation and diplomacy is of the utmost importance.

They also emphasised their shared commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law, including the UN Charter in accordance with the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality and the peaceful settlement of disputes. 

The Ministers underscored their commitment to the empowerment of women and girls, including the promotion of their full and effective participation in all spheres, and combating all forms of gender-based violence. They further reaffirmed that social cohesion, integration, and equal opportunities are fundamental pillars of democratic stability. In this context, they highlighted their determination to address all forms of discrimination and to ensure the effective promotion and protection of the rights of persons in vulnerable situations, as well as to continue coordinating positions and promoting joint initiatives in multilateral fora to consolidate more inclusive societies that respect human dignity.

In the field of international trade, and in light of a challenging global context, Uruguay and New Zealand reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core. They underscored the fundamental role of the WTO in promoting a fair, predictable, transparent, and non-discriminatory trading environment, and highlighted the need to advance its reform process to strengthen its negotiating, dispute settlement, and monitoring functions. They also expressed their expectation of substantive progress at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Cameroon.

Both countries highlighted their joint work as founding members of the Cairns Group to promote deep and meaningful reform aimed at advancing toward a more open, equitable, and market-oriented agricultural trading system, in accordance with the mandate of Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Cairns Group, they recognized its role in driving agricultural negotiations since the Uruguay Round.

In order to build prosperity through trade and economic linkages, the Ministers emphasized the importance of initiatives such as the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), which promotes open, inclusive, and rules-based trade, as well as the encouragement of responsible and sustainable foreign direct investment flows. They also noted Uruguay’s request to accede to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and to join the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA), as well as its efforts to deepen engagement with the Asia-Pacific region through various negotiating frameworks.

The Government of Uruguay expressed its appreciation for the renewed confidence of New Zealand business in the conditions of the domestic market, reflected in increased business connections and investments in high value-added sectors, such as forestry and technology applied to agribusiness, including the recent opening of MonteSera’s animal sera processing and export plant in the Parque de las Ciencias Free Trade Zone.

Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the development of more resilient and environmentally sustainable production systems. They recalled that Uruguay and New Zealand are founding members of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), where they actively cooperate to reduce emissions from the agricultural sector through science, technology, and sustainable practices. They also highlighted the continued validity of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Agriculture and Livestock signed in 2019.

New Zealand and Uruguay reiterate their firm commitment to substantive and constructive progress in the negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC). Both countries agreed on the need to adopt a Treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. In this context, both parties reaffirmed the importance of redoubling efforts and continuing to collaborate actively for the protection of human health and the environment.

Both Ministers agreed that strengthening people-to-people ties constitutes an essential component of the bilateral relationship. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of deepening exchanges in tourism, education, science, culture, and youth, including the reciprocal nature of the Working Holiday programs.

Finally, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to promote their shared interests and values, and expressed their willingness to maintain a fluid political dialogue and regular meetings, both bilaterally and in the framework of international gatherings.

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The fractured, drug-fuelled life behind the scenes of a 10-month-old’s death

Source: Radio New Zealand

Public Domain

The mother of a baby found unresponsive in a South Auckland home has described her broken relationship, drug use, and the day her son died, before a Coroner’s inquest on Wednesday.

Ten-month-old Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering was rushed to Middlemore Hospital and later moved to Starship Children’s Hospital on the evening of 5 September, 2020.

He died a few hours later.

His father, Anthony Simon Pickering, was acquitted of murdering his son in 2022 after a jury trial, and no one has been held responsible for his death.

The purpose of the coronial inquiry is to determine how Poseidyn died and the circumstances surrounding his death, not criminal or civil liability.

Today, the Coroner heard from Poseidyn’s mother, Filoi Huakau, who told the court she had a fractured relationship with Poseidyn’s father, who was also present.

She said the couple domestically abused one another.

“I would say we were like showponies, we would smile for the camera but we had a lot of brokenness between us behind closed doors,” Huakau said.

“We lacked the ability to communicate properly with one another, and there was barely any affections between us.”

Huakau said the pair were heavy methamphetamine users. Her meth use continued while she was pregnant with Poseidyn.

She had said Poseidyn’s parentage was a point of debate and argument for the pair, and that it was only confirmed after his death that Pickering was in fact his biological father.

It was a miracle he had been born healthy, she said, given how much she was using and how little she was eating.

She told the court she had previously given mixed accounts to police of what happened, saying the account given on Wednesday would clear the air.

“Every time that I provided a statement, my head was in a scramble.

“What happened back then, and some of the things I said, no longer sit right with me.”

Huakau said she did not know why she lied to police.

“It is really hard to explain why I lied about certain things, but I was honestly fried, in almost every single statement that I gave,” she said.

“I know it looks like I was probably trying to cover up the truth, but to be completely honest I didn’t even know the truth, I suppose I was really just trying to find a way to justify what happened to myself.”

Huakau paused several times while giving evidence to collect herself, wiping her face with tissues.

She recalled being in the hospital with Poseidyn, and Pickering suddenly mentioning for the first time that the baby had hit his head on the window sill while his mother was out.

Poseidyn had suffered a blood clot and a fracture.

“I screamed at Simon and said, ‘why the F didn’t you say something’, he said he had only just remembered it now,” Huakau said.

“All I remember is just crying.”

She spoke about a family hui following Poseidyn’s death, in which she and Pickering were told one of them would need to take the blame for their child’s death, and that it needed to be Pickering.

‘Your lowest low’

Later in the day, Huakau was questioned by her lawyer Kima Tuialii, who acknowledged the loss she had suffered.

“We all know that you’re sitting where ideally no mother or parent should ever have to sit, before a Coroner in a court, trying to understand what’s happened to their baby.”

She commented on Huakau’s journey to recovery.

“We’ve spoken about really your lowest low, and some of your deepest hurts,” Tuialii said.

“The way you’ve turned things around have been nothing short of remarkable, and I think that everybody in this room would agree with that.”

She asked Huakau if she believed she could have done better.

“Absolutely,” Huakau said.

“I do acknowledge that my kids were neglected, I do believe that they deserved a lot more than what they did get.”

Tuialii asked if she ever hurt Poseidyn.

“Never,” Huakau said.

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

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Salvation Army launches $1.5 million meth harm reduction programme in Motueka

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

The Salvation Army is launching a $1.5 million methamphetamine harm reduction programme in Motueka.

The three-year pilot will include clinical addiction programmes to help people to get clean and stay clean, along with an education campaign to raise awareness about the class-A drug.

Salvation Army service development lead Emma Hunter said families directly affected by methamphetamine would be offered tailored support.

The programme brought together clinical expertise, support and community partnership to help people break free from the drug and rebuild their lives, she said.

“People deserve support that fits their real lives. We offer a harm reduction approach to suit each individual or whānau and we work closely with local services, iwi and the community so the help people receive is connected and effective,” Hunter said.

The education campaign would raise awareness about methamphetamine, where it comes from, its effects and where to get help.

Ministry for Social Development regional commissioner Craig Churchill said methamphetamine affected many communities and Motueka was chosen because of its size and location.

It was small enough for the funding to make a difference and large enough to demonstrate the difference it could make, he said.

“Ultimately we hope to see a reduction in methamphetamine use and related harm in Motueka, a safer community, increased access to support services, greater awareness and prevention and improved inter-agency co-ordination in the town,” Churchill said.

The money is coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund.

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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 tourism continuing to boom

Source: New Zealand Government

Fresh data out this week shows international visitors are returning to New Zealand in droves and visitor spend is on the up, supporting local business and jobs across the country.

The latest International Visitor Survey showed international tourism contributed $12.5 billion to New Zealand’s economy for the year ending December 2025, up 3 per cent compared to the previous year. 

“We have seen a really positive recovery of tourist numbers post-Covid, with visitor numbers at 90 per cent of 2019 levels (3.89 million). These latest results show annual spend has been steadily increasing since the borders reopened to international visitors,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

“International visitor spend from some countries has now surpassed or nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with our Aussie cousins contributing $3.0 billion — 111 per cent of their 2019 spend — and visitors from the United States contributing $1.5 billion, reaching 97 per cent of 2019 levels.

“Overall median spend per visitor ($2,248, up 3 per cent) and median daily spend ($309, up 8 per cent) are all up which means visitors are spending more in our accommodation, restaurants and local businesses, giving a significant boost to the economy.”

“These results highlight why the work we’re doing to boost our tourism and hospitality sector is so important.

“International tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest export earner and we are laser focussed on growing this vital sector, by doubling the value of tourism exports by 2034.”

“Overall, the resilience of the tourism industry is evident. Whether visitors are drawn by New Zealand’s landscapes, our welcoming culture, or the quality of the experiences on offer, the continued rise in visitor numbers and spending underscores tourism’s role in fixing the basics and building the future. 

“More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs.”

Editor’s note

The International Visitor Survey from MBIE is released every quarter and contains data for that quarter and for the year ending that quarter. Further details on data quality (sample sizes, response rates, margins of error) are available here.

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Government moves to strip Māori Land Court powers over PGSEs

Source: Radio New Zealand

Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka. RNZ / Mark Papalii

A group of Tūhoe kaumatua say plans to remove the supervisory jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court (MLC) over many post-settlement governance entities (PSGE) will deny Māori access to justice and accountability.

The government is proposing legislation gives PSGEs the choice to be exempt from sections 237 and 245 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 – which give the MLC jurisdiction over trusts, to the High Court.

Cabinet signed off on the proposal in 2025 following a ruling from the Supreme Court in 2024 that meant Te Uru Taumatua (TUT), the settlement entity for Tūhoe, was subject to jurisdiction of the MLC.

In 2019, Tūhoe kaumatua Paki Nikora, a staunch critic of TUT, started legal proceeding against the PGSE over its election processes on behalf of Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe.

Nikora died in 2023, aged 73, but the legal battle continued, culminating in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

In a statement, counsel for the Kaunihera, Paul Harman, said the proposed Bill overruled that decision.

Harman implied the proposed bill showed how “far” the Crown and TUT were prepared to go to “override access to justice”.

“It weakens the rule of law when governments make legislation in such haste.” he said.

“We went to the Māori Land Court because Te Uru Taumatua had no meaningful dispute resolution process. This is one of several failures of its Trust Deed, with its election processes being another… all that remains is a High Court application, and I suggest that is too expensive for most Māori.”

Harman claimed the proposed Bill would effectively remove independent judicial oversight and deny Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe and other Māori due process and legal recourse.

In a statement to RNZ, Te Uru Taumatua chief executive Kirsti Luke said the Supreme Court’s ruling made “no real sense” for reality of iwi or PSGEs.

“It was never the Crown or iwi’s intent in reaching settlements, and enacting them in legislation, that the Māori Land Court would have any subsequent jurisdiction over iwi’s self-determination.

“The court acknowledged the situation, that its interpretation created, should be fixed by Parliament, and that is also the course of action we and other iwi support.”

A cabinet paper shows 42 of the country’s 73 PSGEs have formally requested exemption from the court’s oversight

In a statement, Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka said the government recognised that PSGEs undertook important responsibilities on behalf of their Iwi.

“Many continue to do so in a diligent and professional way, with strong support from their members and uri.” he said.

“It is important to be clear, however, that a PSGE is not synonymous with the Iwi itself. An is an Iwi. A PSGE carries out defined roles and responsibilities on behalf of Iwi under its trust deed and settlement arrangements, but it does not define the identity or mana of the Iwi.”

Potaka said the proposed legislation reflected the engagement had with PSGEs across the country and the considerations of the Supreme Court had been carefully taken into account.

“This work has not arisen suddenly. Discussions have been underway for some time, including through the former Te Arawhiti structure, and have involved detailed consideration of how best to provide certainty within the PSGE framework.”

“It is also important to emphasise that matters relating to the structure, accountability and leadership of PSGEs ultimately sit with Iwi members. Where Iwi members believe change is needed, whether amendment or replacement of governance arrangements, there are established pathways within trust deeds and Iwi processes to do so. Those are decisions for Iwi to determine.”

Potaka said draft legislation was still being worked through and would be introduced “in due course”.

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

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All Blacks reveal new head coach: Who is Dave Rennie?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks coach, seeing off Jamie Joseph in the two-man race to replace Scott Robertson. © Photosport Ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz

The All Blacks have a new head at the helm.

Dave Rennie has been appointed to one of the most scrutinised jobs in the country.

He succeeds Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson as the 28th All Blacks coach.

Here is everything you need to know about David Noel Rennie:

Born in Upper Hutt, Rennie was educated at Heretaunga College. His mother is from the Cook Islands (Titikaveka, Rarotonga), and Rennie played a non-test match for the country in 1990.

Rennie played his club rugby for Upper Hutt RFC before a shoulder injury forced him to hang up the boots at just 27.

He trained as a teacher, and was appointed to an intermediate school in Upper Hutt.

Rennie played 58 times for his province, Wellington, winning the NPC crown in 1986, the last time the Lions would lift the trophy until Rennie returned as coach.

He quickly moved into a coaching role at Upper Hutt RFC following his playing days.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie PHOTOSPORT

His coaching career continued in the capital as he took an assistant coaching role for the Wellington Lions in 1999.

Just one year later, he was promoted to the top role and would take the Lions on arguably the most memorable NPC run in history, culminating in one of the greatest games played in New Zealand.

Leading a team of legends such as Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga, Rennie’s men overcame an All Black-laden Canterbury team to claim an historic 34-29 win.

After three seasons with the NPC side, Rennie was given his first Super Rugby assignment, named as assistant at the Hurricanes.

The 2002 season ended with the Hurricanes ninth with a 5-6 record. Graham Mourie would resign for the 2003 season with Colin Cooper taking over.

Rennie headed north in 2006 to take over at Manawatū, who he coached for 69 games until 2011.

Another big break came when Rennie was assigned the top job for the New Zealand Under 20s in 2008, leading them to three titles on the trot.

Among his players were Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock and Julian Savea.

He was then given the reins at the Chiefs in 2012, and in his debut season, led them to an inaugural Super Rugby title.

In what ranks as a career highlight for Rennie, the Chiefs went back to back in 2013, with Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam and Sam Cane in the side.

‘Father and Son’ – Dave Rennie (right) and Aaron Cruden Photosport

Rennie spent a further three seasons with the Chiefs before making the move to Scotland to coach the Glasgow Warriors.

He again made a strong start, with the Warriors winning 10 straight before falling short in the Pro14 semifinal.

The next year the side went one better, but again fell at the final hurdle.

Rennie would step down after a Covid-interupted final season in Scotland.

Bar his new All Blacks assignment, Rennie’s toughest task as a coach came in 2019 when he was announced as the replacement for Michael Cheika as Wallabies head coach.

Covid would again wreak havoc during his time with Australia, and it included difficult tours to Europe which saw the Wallabies suffer a first ever loss to Italy.

Much like his predecessor Robertson, Rennie was unceremoniously sacked from the Wallabies gig, replaced in 2023 by Eddie Jones.

Of his 34 tests in charge of the Wallabies, they won just 13.

‘Understand the expectations’

After three seasons in Japan with the Kobe Steelers, Rennie won the two-horse race for the All Blacks gig, beating out Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” Rennie said.

“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”

Rennie’s first assignment is in July when the All Blacks host France, Italy and Ireland for three tests in New Zealand.

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

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New Zealand family living in Qatar: ‘Like a Covid lockdown with the occasional loud boom’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Missiles are seen in the skies over Doha on March 3. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP

The family car is filled with petrol and packed with supplies and go bags for a hasty escape.

But for now, a New Zealand family living in Qatar’s capital, said they would stay where they were while loud booms could be heard in the distance.

Since Israel and the United States launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, a number of countries in the Middle East have been hit by missile strikes including Qatar.

“If you’re calm and prepared, that’s probably the best thing that we can do,” Kathryn Rush said her Doha home.

Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on March 1. MAHMUD HAMS / AFP

She and her husband were oil and gas lawyers, meaning Doha was somewhere with work in their field.

Rush and their two children, Nick who’s 11 and 9-year-old Emily, moved over from Wellington at the end of December.

But now things had changed.

“It’s very reminiscent of Covid,” Rush said.

“We’ve spent the first few months getting ourselves into dance classes and bits and pieces, football clubs and things like that.

“So all of that’s now on hold as everyone has to stay at home as much as they can, my husband is working from home, the kids are home-schooling,” she said.

“Things are happening, you don’t know if it’s going to happen to you or not, and you’re just waiting and try to stay positive in the meantime.”

Rush was trying to stay positive for her young children too.

“The booms, you hear the booms and some of those sound closer than others… so they can be relatively loud,” she said.

“I popped outside and my daughter was on a trampoline tonight just to say ‘oh, do you want to come inside, those were quite loud’ and she said ‘yeah and there were some flashes in the sky too but I want to do some more trampolining’.”

Rush felt it was important to acknowledge with her children what was happening, “but not to be freaked out by it”.

“My 11-year-old is quite smart and quite onto it and is relatively are of what’s going on, but he’s settled in really nicely to school here, he’s got friends from all sorts of different countries and I think they probably talk about it a little bit as well,” she said.

For now, Rush felt comparatively safe – their house was among about 100 in a compound and all were low-rise.

They’re also to the north of Doha’s centre and airport, in the opposite direction to the American base further south.

For now, it felt like an added layer of safety, she said.

“We’re in an older compound… and the villas are really sturdy… so I don’t feel that we’re in as much of a target zone as perhaps some of the other areas.”

New Zealand’s advice to citizens remained to shelter in place but Rush said they would strongly consider leaving if the advice was upgraded.

“It would probably have to get a lot worse, I think, before we’d feel like we desperately wanted to get out,” she said.

The only real option was to drive to Saudi Arabia.

“I feel safer on the ground at the moment than I would in the air.”

Rush was sleeping fully clothed in case she had to quickly move in the night.

She and her neighbours regularly check on each other, but she said it felt like there was not much to check during the ongoing waiting for whatever happened next.

“It feels a bit probably like a Covid lockdown, except for the sound of the occasional loud boom.

“The car is full of petrol and packed with effectively camping gear and the usual kind of go back scenarios like water and that kind of thing, sunscreen, so you know we are prepared – if we have to go we have to go – but where that would be going is a little uncertain.”

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

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Insurer backtracks on move to exclude ADHD and autism treatment cover

Source: Radio New Zealand

Autistic nonspeakers may use various strategies to manage the overload and lessen sensory distress. Unsplash / Naila Conita

Southern Cross Health Insurance says ADHD and autism are once again covered under its policies, after an earlier decision to exclude them.

RNZ reported last month families were blind-sided by the decision, which left them without funding for treatment.

At the time, the insurer said it was not a change in policy, but a “clarification” – as ADHD and autism were considered mental health conditions, they came under the mental health exclusion and were therefore not covered.

But now, after a review of its diagnostic classification system, it told RNZ they were, in fact, classified as neurodevelopmental conditions, not mental health conditions, and accordingly the mental health exclusion did not apply.

Regan Savage, chief sales and marketing officer for Southern Cross Health Insurance, said they undertook a review after feedback from clinicians, members and sector stakeholders highlighted uncertainty about how that November guidance to providers was being interpreted in practice.

“That feedback informed a more detailed review to ensure our guidance is clear, consistent and aligned with both clinical understanding and our policies,” he said.

“We appreciate the constructive engagement with our members and specialists that helped inform this review, and we are currently reviewing any claims that may have been affected.”

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

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Live: Dave Rennie named as new All Blacks coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dave Rennie has been selected as the side’s new head coach. PHOTOSPORT

Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, seeing off Jamie Joseph in the two-man race to replace Scott Robertson.

The 62-year-old former Chiefs coach and coach of the Wallabies was unveiled as the national coach in a New Zealand Rugby social media post just before midday.

He will take up the role in June, when the Japanese Rugby League One season ends, where he coaches Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

He will take charge ahead of the July home series against France, Italy and Ireland.

PHOTOSPORT

Rennie, who is of Cook Islands descent through his mother, becomes the first All Blacks head coach with Pasifika heritage.

NZR chair David Kirk said Rennie has a proven track record as a successful head coach.

PHOTOSPORT

“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks head coach. He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win.

“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders.

“He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”

Rennie said his appointment was a privilege.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it.

“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”

David Kirk, the chair of NZ Rugby, speaks to media following the departure of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Kirk said he believed the appointment process had been the most thorough the organisation has undertaken for an All Blacks coach.

“The All Blacks are set for a challenging and exciting two seasons ahead and it’s critical we followed a thorough process to find the right head coach. Dave has a clear direction for the team that gives us confidence the team will be well positioned to perform as we head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”

NZR will now work with Rennie to confirm the wider All Blacks coaching and management team, with updates to be provided in the coming weeks.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie PHOTOSPORT

Rennie emerged as top level coach when he steered the New Zealand under-20 team to three consecutive junior world championships between 2008 and 2010, guided the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 and took the Glasgow Warriors to a Pro14 Final in 2019.

He has also delivered domestically in New Zealand with the Wellington Lions and Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship.

©PHOTOSPORT 2020

He was head coach of the Wallabies between 2020 and 2023, although largely struggled for success before being replaced by Eddie Jones.

Rennie was to speak to journalists in Auckland this afternoon.

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New Zealand redraws open work visa conditions

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Yiting Lin

Open work visa holders are set to see changes to their visa conditions next month.

An open work visa generally allows people to work for almost any employer, across most sectors and locations, without needing a job offer.

From 20 April, Immigration New Zealand said open work visas would include two new types of employment conditions.

Under the first set of conditions, some open work visa holders, including those on Post Study Work Visas and a range of partner visas, will be able to work for an employer or be self-employed, including as a sole trader or by owning and operating a business.

Under the second set of conditions, open work visa holders on Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visas, Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visas, Asylum Seeker Work Visas and all working holiday visas will still be required to work for an employer, either under an employment agreement or a contract for services.

The change makes clear that open work visa holders will not be allowed to employ other people, either directly or indirectly through a business they own or operate, including where the business is the named employer.

Peter Elms, director of visas at Immigration New Zealand, said the changes were prompted by sector feedback and were intended to remove uncertainty created by existing work visa settings for both visa holders and immigration advisers.

He said updating and standardising the conditions would provide clearer guidance and reduce the risk of unintentional breaches of the Immigration Act.

“Overall, the changes are intended to help migrants better understand their visa conditions and work rights while they are in New Zealand,” Elms said.

The upcoming changes have been welcomed by immigration lawyers and advisers.

David Cooper, chief executive of New Zealand Immigration Partners Supplied

David Cooper, chief executive of New Zealand Immigration Partners, said the update to immigration instructions and policy would remove confusion and close a grey area that had existed previously.

“Particularly for people who held open work visas, whether or not they were allowed to work for themselves was never clear in the immigration instructions,” Cooper said.

“This will now allow them to do it and make it very clear that it’s legal for them to be able to do that.”

Cooper said that while self-employment would not apply to every type of open work visa, it would give eligible visa holders another option beyond finding a job.

“If they do struggle to find a job, they can at least consider setting up their own small business and trying that,” he added.

Sonny Lam, an immigration lawyer at Queen City Law, said clearer guidance could spur a modest lift in the recruitment of non-resident workers.

“The rules become muddled due to frequent changes and create a perception in busy employers’ minds that they can only hire someone on the Accredited Employer Work Visa,” he said.

Sonny Lam is an immigration lawyer at Queen City Law in Auckland. Supplied

“With this latest change, it will likely remind employers that they can hire such workers on open work visas again, leading to a slight increase,” he said.

Lam said the restriction preventing open work visa holders from employing others appeared to envisage gig-economy work, such as ride-share driving or delivery services.

This sort of work was a popular way for migrants to generate income and could provide a small boost to the wider economy, he said.

Arunima Dhingra, a senior licensed immigration adviser and chief executive of Aims Global, said clearer rules could reduce risk and improve compliance.

“In recent years there has been increasing confusion around what ‘open’ actually means,” she said.

“Many migrants and employers assume ‘open’ means unrestricted in all respects. At the same time, we have seen growth in contracting, project work and small-scale sole-trading arrangements.

“Those grey areas can create compliance risks if visa holders inadvertently step outside what is permitted.”

Arunima Dhingra, chief executive of Aims Global Supplied

Dhingra said that once the rules were explicit, employers could have greater confidence in engaging open work visa holders under appropriate arrangements.

For visa holders, she said, it reduced the risk of unintentionally breaching visa conditions.

Dafydd Parry, a licensed immigration adviser at Greenstone Immigration, said the restriction preventing open work visa holders from employing others could affect some current open work visa holders who are already running businesses that employ staff.

He said transitional arrangements and support would be available for those people until their current visa expires, after which the new rules would apply.

He said the clarification could also help ensure that employment created by temporary visa holders was sustainable and compliant, and that vulnerable workers were protected.

“Allowing temporary visa holders to employ staff could be deemed to create risks,” he said.

“If the visa holder must leave New Zealand, their employees may suddenly lose their jobs,” he said.

“Some cases may raise concerns about exploitation or non-genuine job arrangements.”

Elms said not all migrants were familiar with New Zealand’s employment laws or business obligations, and that allowing self-employment and business ownership while restricting the ability to hire staff helped support safe and compliant work practices.

He said it also reduced the risk of employers unintentionally breaching employment or immigration requirements.

Elms added that the rules also reflected a distinction between activities that signal temporary intent and those that suggest a more permanent footing.

“Running a business that employs others generally indicates a more ongoing and established presence in New Zealand, which is not the intent of a temporary open work visa,” he said.

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