Category: Public Media

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Man accused of swallowing $33,000 pendant appears in court

Source: Radio New Zealand

Court documents reveal the pendant was worth $33,585. Supplied / NZ police

A man accused of swallowing a Fabergé locket worth more than $33,500 during an alleged theft at an Auckland jewellery store has appeared in the Auckland District Court.

He was remanded in custody without a plea until next Monday.

Police had been called at 3.30pm on 28 November to the store in Auckland city where a man was accused of picking up a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg pendant and swallowing it.

Court documents reveal the pendant was worth $33,585.

Inspector Grae Anderson told RNZ the man underwent a medical assessment at the time of his arrest and an officer had been assigned to constantly monitor him.

Police confirmed the item was back in their possession on Friday.

An online listing for the locket said it had been crafted from 18ct yellow gold and set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires.

A golden octopus inside the locket was set with two black diamonds for eyes.

In a statement released to RNZ, Partridge Jewellers confirmed the attempted theft took place at its Queen St store.

“The store management team responded immediately, and police were on site to detain the person in question within minutes.

“The safety of Partridge’s clients and staff is the highest priority, and the team is grateful for the police’s swift support in dealing with the situation, which is now in the hands of legal professionals.”

Partridge said the pendant would be returned to Fabergé.

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

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Kiwi charged with trying to smuggle $10m of heroin in Sydney

Source: Radio New Zealand

A New Zealand man has been charged with trying to import $10 million worth of heroin into Sydney in floral-patterned bags.

In a joint statement the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said the Kiwi was accused of importing 21kg of heroin into Australia hidden inside his luggage.

The 21-year-old was charged with importing a commercial quantity of heroin, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

He is expected to appear in NSW Bail Division Local Court on Monday.

The 21-year-old New Zealander is accused of importing 21kg of heroin into Australia hidden inside his luggage. Australian Federal Police / Australian Border Force

The Australian Border Force said officers selected the man for a baggage examination upon his arrival into Sydney Airport on board an international flight from Thailand, on Sunday.

They searched two suitcases belonging to the man and allegedly found 21 floral-patterned, vacuum sealed bags containing a white powdery substance.

This amount of heroin had an estimated street value of more than $10 million, with the potential for about 100,000 streel-level deals, police said.

The heroin has an estimated street value of more than $10 million Australian Federal Police / Australian Border Force

Border Force Superintended Elke West said this detection is a good reminder to every passenger crossing the borders with illicit goods and substances – the risk is not worth the reward.

“The ABF uses on a sophisticated layered approach to targeting passengers at our airports for examination,” West said.

“This detection demonstrates that our systems, technology, intelligence sharing and human judgement all complement each other to identify high-risk travellers before they can do more harm in our communities.

ABF officers allegedly located 21 floral-patterned, vacuum sealed bags containing a white powdery substance. Australian Federal Police / Australian Border Force

AFP officers seized the packages for further forensic testing. Australian Federal Police / Australian Border Force

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

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Too many laws passing without ‘proper scrutiny’, Geoffrey Palmer says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sir Geoffrey Palmer giving evidence to Parliament’s Regulations Review Committee in July. (File photo) VNP / Phil Smith

A former Labour Prime Minister says Parliament is passing too many laws without proper scrutiny.

Sir Geoffrey Palmer told Nine to Noon the government was increasingly pushing through legislation under urgency, which allowed it to skip stages such as public consultation and select committees.

But Leader of the House Chris Bishop said just nine Bills have been passed in that way, and there were good reasons for all of them.

Palmer said the normal checks and balances were stripped out when laws were made at pace.

“Urgency has become the default mechanism for dealing with Parliamentary legislation and the standing orders are not followed and you also have extended sittings – and both of those mean the Government’s agenda is completely at the will of the Government,” he said.

Palmer said the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 – and its amendment – was a classic example of a trend that “ministers know best” and was “ministerial dictatorship”.

“It was criticised by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment then, Simon Upton, the amendment bill puts the process that was enacted in 2024 on steroids.

“It gets faster and faster. It will be a fast-track to environmental degradation, [more] than it already is.”

Bishop was approached for further comment.

The legislation, which passed under urgency at the end of last year, is back before Parliament with an amendment that the government intended to push through by the end of 2025.

It said the amendment to the Act would increase competition in the supermarket sector.

Despite being open for just over 10 days, it received 2158 submissions, with about 95 percent opposed.

Palmer said legislative checks and balances – which he already considered lacking – were further reduced when legislation was made at pace.

“What is the hurry? Legislation is law-making. You want to get it right. You have to analyse it, you have to do proper research, you don’t bang it through because a minister has an idea.

“It needs to be properly drafted by Parliamentary council. We have had a degradation of our legislative system in New Zealand in recent years.”

Bishop said the government had a big legislative agenda and limited hours in ordinary house time to get it done.

Regarding the use of urgency, he said: “I am reluctant to use urgency to avoid select committees outside of the standard Budget urgency process, and it is only done so when there are good reasons.”

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

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How can the All Whites secure a FIFA World Cup 2026 win?

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Whites captain Chris Wood pictured ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against New Caledonia. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

New Zealand football great Ivan Vicelich says the All White’s best shot at World Cup glory will come early at next year’s FIFA tournament.

Vicelich whose international career spanned two decades, says it’s crucial New Zealand hits peak form in the opening clash.

New Zealand will take on Iran, the World No. 20 ranked side, on June 16 at the vast Los Angeles Stadium, with a capacity of over 70,000.

“Look, the beauty for us is that we’re at the World Cup. We’ve got top quality players in there who can change a game,” Vicelich said.

“We have to focus on one or two teams and get results the best we can.

“It’s great to see Ryan Thomas back and Sarpreet Singh. As a group the team looks like they’re in sync. There’s the odd goal conceded that’s not a good way to concede – hopefully they can iron that out.”

Drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, New Zealand (ranked 86th) will play two games in Canada, and one in the United States.

Their final two group games will be played at BC Place Vancouver, against Egypt on June 22, and Belgium on June 27 – another large stadium with a capacity of around 55,000.

While not the hardest of the 12 pools, all three nations are ranked more than 50 places higher than New Zealand.

Belgium are ranked eighth in the world and qualified for the World Cup by topping their European qualification group.

Ominously, Iran and Egypt also topped their groups in qualifying.

Sarpreet Singh takes a kick against Tunisia in 2024. PHOTOSPORT

Former All Whites defender Ben Sigmund says that with a bit of fine tuning, the opener against Iran is there for the taking.

But he’d urge New Zealand to play a more attacking style.

“Iran is probably our best chance, that’s the one you want to focus on – that’s your focus point,” Sigmund said.

“Egypt you’d probably want to get that draw, but they’re a very good side.”

“We’ve got the players, we’ve got the team. You never know?

“If you can take away those odd one percenters, this team has a really good chance.”

World Cup mania has arrived early, with friends texting Sigmund to find tickets to the All Whites matches.

“I’m getting messages as everyone’s asking me how to get tickets, but it’s not that easy,” he laughed.

TVNZ has secured every All Whites match to be broadcast live and free on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+.

New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule:

June 16: Iran vs New Zealand – Los Angeles Stadium

June 22: New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place Vancouver

June 27: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place Vancouver

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

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‘Immense sadness’: Former Prime Minister Helen Clark’s father dies at the age of 103

Source: Radio New Zealand

Helen Clark’s father, George Clark died at home over the weekend. (File photo) Supplied

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has paid tribute to her father, George Clark, who has died at the age of 103.

Clark often spoke about the large and positive influence her father, who was a farmer until he retired, had on her politics and her life.

In a Facebook post, she said her dad died peacefully at his home in Waihi beach over the weekend.

She described him as a dedicated family man who always wanted the best for his daughters, supporting them “all the way” – and who had served his communities fo Te Pahu and Waihi Beach.

She said she made the announcement with “immense sadness.”

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

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RNZ broadcaster Corin Dann wins 2025 Bill Toft Award for journalism

Source: Radio New Zealand

Corin Dann. RNZ

Radio New Zealand senior journalist and broadcaster Corin Dann has won the 2025 Bill Toft Media Award.

Dann was announced as the winner on Thursday for a compilation of reporting, interviews and commentary on political, business and general issues.

The annual Bill Toft Media Award is awarded for the purpose of encouraging excellence in electronic media in New Zealand.

The judges said Dann’s entry displayed deep experience and a wide range of ability in reporting, interviewing and analysis, with rich content and polished presentation.

Swampy Marsh, a member of the judges panel, said the high standard of entries continued to illustrate the depth and quality of broadcasting in New Zealand.

Previous winners include Mike McRoberts and Mitch McCann.

Dann has been host of Morning Report since 2019, and will take on the role of RNZ’s new Business Editor in 2026.

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Wellington region to ditch Snapper public transport cards

Source: Radio New Zealand

SUPPLIED / GWRC

Wellingtonians will soon be able to tag onto public transport with their phones and debit cards.

Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter told RNZ Wellingtonians were “sick of waiting”, and contactless payment on buses and trains will roll out in the first half of next year.

The $1.4 billion National Ticketing Solution (NTS) was first signed off more than 16 years ago, and would allow people to pay for buses, ferries and trains with debit cards and digital payments across the country.

It was recently rolled out in Christchurch.

But the national project was recently delayed, with Wellington’s launch date pushed out from the end of next year to the end of 2027.

Now, the regional council has told RNZ it will roll out contactless payments itself in the first half of next year, at a cost of $5.5 million.

Regional council chair Daran Ponter said the NTS had been a long time coming.

“But Wellingtonians, people in the Wellington region, have been waiting a long time themselves, years if not decades and we have got to a point where we feel it is justified to make this investment.”

Contactless payment on buses and trains will roll out in the first half of next year, the regional council chair says. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

There was not an easy answer to why it had taken so long to get a system like this for the capital, Ponter said.

“We still support the next ticketing system but Wellingtonians are sick of waiting and I quite frankly am sick of telling them to wait. We’ve been at this now for more than 20 years talking about integrated fare ticketing in the Wellington region.”

He noted the NTS would go further than what they were doing.

“That will then allow us to give the full benefits of integrated ticketing like fare capping, changing fares for particular times of the day.”

He could not yet say what month the new technology would be rolled out.

NZTA and Snapper have been approached for comment.

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Qantas announces new services to Gold Coast and Samoa from Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Australian airline will launch new routes to Samoa and Gold Coast from June. AFP

Qantas has announced two new services out of Auckland, as it intensifies its battle with Air New Zealand.

The Australian airline will launch new routes to Samoa and Gold Coast from June.

The announcement follows new Qantas services to Adelaide and Perth from Auckland taking off in the past few weeks and the unveiling of its new lounge at Auckland International Airport on Monday afternoon.

The additional services and investment come as Qantas further extends its presence in the New Zealand market.

“Auckland is one of our most important international hubs and these announcements show the scale of investment and growth we’re making in New Zealand,” Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International & Freight said.

“Combined with our new Auckland lounge soon to open and this weekend’s launch of flights to Perth, we’re giving Kiwi travellers more choice and premium experiences than ever before.” .

Qantas CEO Cam Wallace. Matt Jelonek/Qantas

Both services will operate three times per week and will commence from 16 June, with tickets going on sale today.

Qantas will use Boeing 737 aircraft for the flights, making it the only airline offering business class flights to the Gold Coast from Auckland.

Qantas’ inaugural Auckland to Perth service took off on Sunday, and connects with the airline’s direct flights from Western Australia to London, Paris, Rome and Johannesburg.

The Gold Coast service will depart Auckland at 10:20am, arriving in Gold Coast at 12:00pm. Economy fares will start at $320.

Airfares on its year-round flights to Apia will start at $370. It will be the first time Air New Zealand has faced competition on the route since Samoa Airways ended its service in 2022.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar currently operate services between Auckland and Gold Coast.

Cam Wallace will be speaking to Morning Report on RNZ National on Tuesday morning

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Alice Robinson follows slalom win with another podium finish

Source: Radio New Zealand

Alice Robinson of New Zealand speeds down the course during a World Cup giant slalom race in Italy, 2025. PHOTOSPORT

Queenstown skier Alice Robinson has continued her top form on the World Cup circuit.

Robinson followed up her giant slalom victory at Tremblant in Canada on Sunday with a third place finish on the same course on Monday.

The result marks the 20th World Cup podium of her career and her third in four rounds this season.

The 24-year-old remains top of the giant slalom standings, eight points ahead of Austrian Julia Scheib who won Monday’s race.

Robinson was quickest after the first run but a tiny error on the second run meant she was a second slower than Scheib and finished 0.78 seconds behind the Austrian with Sara Hector of Sweden second.

Robinson leads the giant slalom standings with 292 points, with Scheib in second with 280 points and Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic in third with 178 points.

The Giant Slalom World Cup Tour will now take a break until 27 December.

Robinson will now turn her attention to World Cup speed events starting with the Downhill and Super G races in St. Moritz, Switzerland, next weekend.

The Olympics are in Italy in February.

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Gorse fire flare-up in North Canterbury contained

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Dozens of firefighters battled a a gorse fire near the Waimakariri River in North Canterbury on Monday.

The fire near Poyntzs Road in Eyrewell was a flare-up from a scrub fire on Sunday.

About 45 firefighters and two helicopters were called to the scene about 5.10am on Monday.

Fire and Emergency said the blaze had been contained and nine fire trucks remained at the fire, which had burned an area roughly 300 metres by 300 metres.

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