Category: Public Media

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Emergency services respond to incident at Christchurch daycare

Source: Radio New Zealand

One person has been taken to hospital in a serious condition from a childcare centre in the Christchurch suburb of Woolston. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

One person has been taken to hospital in a serious condition from a childcare centre in Christchurch.

St John is treating multiple patients at the centre, in the suburb of Woolston.

A parent has told RNZ that children have been affected by a chemical used at the centre.

St John was notified at 1.13pm.

A spokesperson said multiple emergency vehicles were responding; fourteen are on scene including six ambulances, two rapid response units and three operations managers.

“Our crews are treating multiple patients, one of whom has been transported to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.”

Fire and Emergency have sent firefighters from two stations.

A spokesperson said a hazmat unit had been deployed as a precaution.

A RNZ reporter at the scene has seen a child being loaded into an ambulance.

A parent, who has a child at the centre, told RNZ that three children had been affected by a chemical used to clean a slide.

The parent did not know what the chemical was and their child was not affected.

RNZ has approached the childcare centre, but staff refused to comment.

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

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Pro-Beijing commentator loses defamation case against former Auckland councillor

Source: Radio New Zealand

Morgan (Zhi Hong) Xiao. Supplied

An Auckland-based pro-Beijing online political commentator has been ordered to pay more than $200,000 in defamation damages to former Auckland Councillor Paul Young.

Morgan (Zhi Hong) Xiao, also known as ‘Demon King’ (魔王) online, runs a social media account on WeChat and describes himself as a “New Zealand political commentary author, social activist and TV programmes planner”.

Xiao stood in local elections in 2019, and had called Professor Anne-Marie Brady and other critics of the Chinese government “son of bitches” and “anti-China forces”.

Justice Tracey Walker ruled Xiao defamed Young in 13 posts, and ordered him and any third party platform to remove the posts. She also ordered him to pay $225,000 in damages to Young.

Young said he felt vindicated after three years of litigation.

“The court has confirmed what I have maintained throughout – the allegations made against me were false and defamatory,” he said in a statement.

“I hope this outcome sends a clear message that New Zealand’s legal system provides effective remedies for those whose reputations are attacked through sustained online campaigns.”

Young was a Taiwan-born New Zealander who immigrated in 1989.

He was elected as Howick’s ward councillor in the 2018 by-election, becoming Auckland’s first ethnically Chinese councillor. He was re-elected in 2019, but lost his seat in the 2022 Auckland local elections.

Xiao has worked as a parking warden for Auckland Transport but refuses to confirm to RNZ if he’s still in that role – saying that it’s not related to the case.

He said he planned to appeal the decision and was not worried about the money he had been ordered to pay.

“I do not worry about it, because I believe this judgement is going to be successfully appealed… this money will not be a problem.”

Portia Mao. Supplied

Xiao had also previously taken Chinese-New Zealand journalist Portia Mao to court, alleging she had breached the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

Mao is a veteran journalist who covers China-related issues in New Zealand as well as other subjects.

Mao was required to take down the articles while the matter was before the court, but the order was lifted in a later decision by Manukau District Court Judge Richard McIlraith.

In a submission to the court, Mao’s lawyer said Xiao had weaponised the Harmful Digital Communications Act to silence a journalist, as Xiao had celebrated his victory on social media without Mao knowing an application had been filed.

The judge found Mao had no opportunity to defend herself in court at the time the orders were made.

“What has occurred here has been unfortunate,” Judge McIlraith said.

“This case has demonstrated the danger of ‘without notice’ applications being made under this act and the regrettable delay in a defendant having the opportunity to be heard.”

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

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Air New Zealand updates rules of portable power bank usage on flights

Source: Radio New Zealand

Air NZ said power banks must not be put in overhead lockers. (File photo) Supplied/ Air NZ

Air New Zealand has updated its rules around the use of portable power banks on its flights following bans by multiple international airlines.

Air NZ’s chief risk and safety officer Nathan McGraw, confirmed that from December 9, customers would not be allowed to carry more than two power banks per person and they could not be used during take-off landing or taxi.

McGraw said the changes had been made to “keep everybody on board safe”.

Last month Jetstar confirmed it would ban the use of portable power banks from December 15, for all of its flights due to the safety risks of damaged or defective lithium battery-powered devices.

Multiple international airlines including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, South Korean Airlines, Qantas, Virgin and China Airlines banned the use of power banks on flights earlier this year.

Power banks used lithium-ion batteries, which were known to be highly flammable and difficult to extinguish.

McGraw said power banks on AirNZ flights would now need to be kept either under the seat in front of the passenger or in the seat back-pocket. The power banks could not be placed in bags in overhead lockers.

He said they could not be used to charge or power other devices during taxi, take-off or landing and couldn’t be recharged using in-seat or in-flight power outlets.

Power banks were already prohibited from checked baggage, he said.

“Based on information from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), we’ve chosen to make these changes ahead of formal regulatory updates. This proactive step aligns with international aviation safety best practice. Safety is our highest priority, and this change is all about keeping our customers and crew safe.”

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Finance and climate ministers from NZ and Australia meet

Source: Radio New Zealand

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts are meeting with their Australian counterparts in Auckland to discuss energy security and affordability.

It is the third such trans-Tasman meeting, with a focus on strengthening cooperation on climate action, clean energy and related regulations.

In a joint statement, Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said both countries were working together to seize “the golden economic opportunities of the net zero transformation”.

“Delivering on our shared commitment to net zero is critical for investor certainty, cheaper, cleaner energy in our region and advancing climate action across the Pacific.”

Earlier this week, Willis cast fresh doubt on whether New Zealand would pay for the offshore carbon credits it needed to meet its 2030 promise to halve greenhouse gas emissions.

It was not in New Zealand’s best interests “to send cheques for billions of dollars offshore”, she told reporters.

“That’s not our priority.”

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Watts laid out the 12 things the ministers had agreed to work together on. They agreed to:

  • coinvest funding to upgrade energy product regulatory systems, and regulatory regimes to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies
  • further align regulatory settings for consumer energy technology for a joint approach to enable EV chargers with smart tech
  • develop vehicle-to-grid standards for EVs to ensure markets are aligned, including adoption of international communication protocols
  • pursue regulatory alignment and market opportunities on solar and battery systems
  • develop a trans-Tasman sustainable finance fuel strategy
  • expand technical collaboration and information sharing on livestock emissions reductions
  • continue bilateral and international engagement to develop complementary sustainable finance frameworks
  • establish a working group of government and industry to share information and collaborate on solutions to help ensure insurance remains accessible
  • find opportunities to align payment systems, licencising and digital asset reforms
  • align building codes and standards
  • work together on aligned product safety standards
  • coinvest funding (NZ$1m from New Zealand and AU$4.1m from Australia) to upgrade energy product regulatory systems, and regulatory regimes to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
  • co-host a targeted technical assistance and training initiative with the Pacific for Pacific energy regulators in 2026.

Bowen highlighted the importance of the vehicle-to-grid standards, “which has such potential for both our countries to stabilise our energy grids, to ensure consumers become more in charge of their own energy”.

“They move from being consumers to ‘prosumers’, with solar panels on their roofs and batteries in their garage and on their driveway, putting them in charge – it is a big regulatory task to ensure that those regulations are fit for purpose… the more they can be aligned, the better for both countries.”

Watts was asked to explain how the governments would work together on securing insurance accessibility. He said the work would be important and there was a “real opportunity” in working together to strengthen the way the markets worked.

“We need our citizens to ensure they have insurance cover to deal with the impacts of climate change, and that’s one of the areas we’re looking to continue to explore.”

Willis said several insurance firms operated on both sides of the Tasman, “and to the extent that we can share lessons and align, we can ensure that we’re supporting more affordable insurance into the future”.

Bowen also thanked New Zealand for its support on Australia’s bid to take a leadership role at next year’s COP31 climate conference.

Australia initially aimed to host the conference, and was criticised by Pacific countries after pulling out. The conference will now be held in Türkiye. with Australia acting as president of COP negotiations, holding a pre-COP meeting in partnership with the Pacific.

“We discussed on Friday making sure that this is a COP which is meaningful and generational for the Pacific, making sure that the pre-COP which will be held in the Pacific is an important event and Australia and New Zealand will be working closely together in planning… together with of course our Pacific family,” Bowen said.

They would also work “to ensure the Pacific voices which have been ignored for so long actually get a good and solid and strong hearing in the important climate negotiations”.

Chalmers also announced Willis had accepted an invitation to take part in the discussion of state and territory treasurers next year, saying the economic challenges being grappled with were “familiar and common” across both countries.

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

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Person dies after truck crash on SH2 north of Dannevirke

Source: Radio New Zealand

St John says one person with serious injuries is being flown to Palmerston North Hospital. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police have confirmed one person has died following a crash on State Highway 2 north of Dennevirke on Friday morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash near Okane Road in Matamau at about 9.50am.

A second person sustained serious injuries and has been transported to hospital, police said.

Fire and Emergency confirmed a truck was involved, and said its crews helped free the driver who had been trapped.

SH2 would remain closed for some time while the Serious Crash unit conduct a scene examination, police said.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, and detours are in place.

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

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Pro-Beijing activist loses defamation case against former Auckland councillor

Source: Radio New Zealand

Morgan (Zhi Hong) Xiao. Supplied

An Auckland-based pro-Beijing online political commentator has been ordered to pay more than $200,000 in defamation damages to former Auckland Councillor Paul Young.

Morgan (Zhi Hong) Xiao, also known as ‘Demon King’ (魔王) online, runs a social media account on WeChat and describes himself as a “New Zealand political commentary author, social activist and TV programmes planner”.

Xiao stood in local elections in 2019, and had called Professor Anne-Marie Brady and other critics of the Chinese government “son of bitches” and “anti-China forces”.

Justice Tracey Walker ruled Xiao defamed Young in 13 posts, and/ordered him and any third party platform to remove the posts. She also ordered him to pay $225,000 in damages to Young.

Young said he felt vindicated after three years of litigation.

“The court has confirmed what I have maintained throughout – the allegations made against me were false and defamatory,” he said in a statement.

“I hope this outcome sends a clear message that New Zealand’s legal system provides effective remedies for those whose reputations are attacked through sustained online campaigns.”

Young was a Taiwan-born New Zealander who immigrated in 1989.

He was elected as Howick’s ward councillor in the 2018 by-election, becoming Auckland’s first ethnically Chinese councillor. He was re-elected in 2019, but lost his seat in the 2022 Auckland local elections.

Xiao has worked as a parking warden for Auckland Transport but refuses to confirm to RNZ if he’s still in that role – saying that it’s not related to the case.

He said he planned to appeal the decision and was not worried about the money he had been ordered to pay.

“I do not worry about it, because I believe this judgement is going to be successfully appealed… this money will not be a problem.”

Portia Mao. Supplied

Xiao had also previously taken Chinese-New Zealand journalist Portia Mao to court, alleging she had breached the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

Mao is a veteran journalist who covers China-related issues in New Zealand as well as other subjects.

Mao was required to take down the articles while the matter was before the court, but the order was lifted in a later decision by Manukau District Court Judge Richard McIlraith.

In a submission to the court, Mao’s lawyer said Xiao had weaponised the Harmful Digital Communications Act to silence a journalist, as Xiao had celebrated his victory on social media without Mao knowing an application had been filed.

The judge found Mao had no opportunity to defend herself in court at the time the orders were made.

“What has occurred here has been unfortunate,” Judge McIlraith said.

“This case has demonstrated the danger of ‘without notice’ applications being made under this act and the regrettable delay in a defendant having the opportunity to be heard.”

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

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Remember when we flagged getting a new flag?

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s 10 years since New Zealand voted in a referendum to keep flying the flag for tradition.

Over 10,292 alternative designs were submitted, then whittled down to a long list of 40 and then five. From there, Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue silver fern flag was chosen to go up against the old faithful.

Often described as the then Prime Minister Sir John Key’s passion project, more than 2 million people voted in the final referendum.

John Key was a fan of the Kyle Lockwood design.

RNZ / Diego Opatowski

The secret history of the Anzac biscuit

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More than 1.2 million people, or 56.6 percent of those who voted, opted to keep the current flag.

Lockwood still reflects on what might have been, 10 years on, he told RNZ’s Nights.

“I reckon if maybe if there was only one particular design that was in the first referendum, it might have just got through. It might have got the 50 percent,” he says.

Lockwood, who is still selling his design through his website, says it was a moment when the country could have chosen a flag that more represented its modern identity.

“The Union Jack in the top left-hand corner probably doesn’t represent every sort of New Zealander.

“We’re a multicultural society now, and I think for a lot of people, it just doesn’t resonate, and I think we probably should change the flag, but the vote in the end, it wasn’t to be, of course.”

One of the most famous entries, which gained world-wide attention, was Fire the Lazar! by Lucy Gray.

The infamous Laser Kiwi design.

Wiki commons

“A lot of people ask me what’s the story behind it and they bring up all their own theories and when it comes down to it, it’s not that deep. I just thought New Zealand needed more dangerous animals.

“So, you know, just take a kiwi, add lasers,” she told RNZ’s Nights.

The design’s popularity likely reflects New Zealanders’ sense of humour, she says.

“There’s an element of satirising the flag referendum, which I think a lot of people saw as a waste of time and money.

“It’s really a symbol of our irreverent sense of humour. And I think what it set out to do as an absurdist piece, it achieved quite well.”

Lockwood is pleased that his design, despite not making it over the line, resonated with so many Kiwis.

“The fact that it got nearly 44 percent of the vote, I think was amazing. Some of the polls were coming back at around 30 percent.

“And when it got 44, I was like, wow, that’s actually quite a significant minority when you come to think of it.”

Lockwood, now living in Melbourne is still known as the “flag guy”.

“There’re definitely worse nicknames,” he says.

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

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Women in finance more than twice as likely to be sexually harrassed than men – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand

Despite reports of sexual harassment against women dropping from 2021 levels, CA ANZ general manager for New Zealand, Charlotte Evett, said it remained too high. 123RF

Women are still more than two-and-a-half times as likely to experience sexual harassment compared to men in the finance sector.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s (CA ANZ) latest two-yearly diversity, equity and inclusion report showed 13 percent of women respondents reported sexual harassment in the workplace, compared to 5 percent of men.

That compared to 11 percent of women in 2023 and 19 percent in 2021.

CA ANZ general manager for New Zealand, Charlotte Evett, said the findings – based on a survey of nearly 2000 members – did not reflect a structural problem in the profession.

“The profession is not without fault, because it’s not zero percent, but I think it’s reflective of a broader societal issue – but absolutely, we’re not going to wait for other people to fix it.

“We have a responsibility, as Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, to help address it across the accounting profession.”

Evett said the biennial survey aimed to shine a light on issues and uncomfortable truths such as harassment.

Despite reports of sexual harassment against women dropping from 2021 levels, Evett said it remained too high.

“We’ve seen some great improvements across other negative behaviours, but we continue to shine a light on the uncomfortable truths so that we can work with members and our profession to do something about them.

“The right percentage of sexual harassment cases is zero.”

CA ANZ chief executive Ainslie van Onselen said 51 percent of its provisional membership were women, compared to 43 percent of its full members, and it was clear the demographic sands of the profession were shifting.

“Therefore, it is imperative for us to collectively address the issues facing women if we are to retain and develop key talent within the profession.”

Encouraging more Māori and Pasifika accountants

CA ANZ data also showed Māori made up 4 percent of membership, compared to 18 percent who identify as Māori in the wider population.

Evett wanted their membership to reflect the communities they serve, noting that the Māori economy had grown from $17 billion in 2018 to $32b in 2023.

“It makes absolute business sense, as well as being the right thing to do.”

CA ANZ was developing partnerships with Iwi and educators, and had introduced a “learn while you earn” pathway to formal accounting qualifications.

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Successful medical drone delivery could offer faster healthcare access for remote communities

Source: Radio New Zealand

The drone used in the trial and members of the team involved. Supplied by Vertilink

Researchers hope the quick responsiveness of a medical drone could save the lives of New Zealanders living in remote communities.

The trial, a partnership between drone company VertiLink, the University of Auckland and Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi, successfully delivered medical gear to Matakana Island last week during a simulated emergency at Te Kutaroa Marae in less than four minutes.

VertiLink chief executive Charlie Nelson told Nine to Noon, it was a groundbreaking milestone and offered new hope to the island’s 500 residents.

Nelson said the trial was the product of two years of research and the objective had been to see how drones could be sued to benefit people living in isolated communities.

“We really wanted to look at what difference the response time would be between traditional medicines versus this new technology.”

The simulated event included someone who had experienced a high trauma event, like a car crash, on the island, Nelson said.

“We looked at a high trauma event, high stakes and very narrow window of time for this person’s outcome of survival. First responders were dispatched and so was the drone. It was about looking at the time difference and whether that made a difference in the outcome.”

The drone could have a maximum take-off weight of 95kgs, Nelson said, and could carry up to 40kgs. It had a box attached underneath which could be filled with supplied and opened upon landing.

Matakana Island has about 500 residents. (File photo) WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / Ulanwp

Nelson said the drone also had the ability for a winch so the box could be winched from a height in cases where it couldn’t land safely.

He said now they would continue to engage with communities and tailor it to their particular needs.

“It may not look like the same solution for other communities so we’re continuing to engage with our research partners, community and iwi.”

The drone could be used for emergency responses, Nelson said but also day-to-day health requirements on the island such as delivering prescriptions.

“We’re looking at how efficient you can make these services so the cost profile [of going to the mainland for a script] is reduced.”

Nelson said another possibility could be for people who had blood test requirements to have their tests shipped off by the drone.

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Cat that vanished 14 years ago reunited with owner, will be ‘spoilt rotten’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mo, before he went missing. Supplied / Paul Myburgh

For more on this story, tune in to RNZ’s Checkpoint with Lisa Owen from 4-6pm on Friday.

Christmas has come early for an Auckland man who’s been reunited with his cat who went missing 14 years ago.

Paul Myburgh’s family adopted Mo from the SPCA in 2010. The ginger tabby quickly charmed just about anyone he met, according to Myburgh.

“He was an incredibly friendly cat. Very charismatic, loved human beings, would always walk up to the bus stop when he knew we were coming home.”

Mo had a tendency to follow anyone who showed him attention or gave him treats. Myburgh said that friendliness toward strangers could have led to his disappearance.

“Normally he’d come home, but then one day in 2011 he didn’t and we were devastated. We obviously put up leaflets all around the suburb, contacted the local vets, put something up on the Auckland pets lost and found but there were no sightings, there were no leads.”

Mo, before he went missing. Supplied / Paul Myburgh

In the 14 years since he went missing, Myburgh said his family lost hope that Mo might return.

“Over time, when the nights became years, we thought we’d lost him forever.

“We moved four years after he went missing and, yes, by that stage we’d resigned ourselves to the fact that he’d either met an unfortunate end or certainly wasn’t coming back.”

But that all changed when Myburgh received an email from Petstock Vet Constellation Drive while he was out grocery shopping.

“They said, ‘We’ve found this cat called Mo and we’ve checked the register, and your name and your daughter’s name was on the register.’

“I was just completely dumbfounded. I just couldn’t believe it, but the details matched up. So, I ran to the car, rang the vet clinic immediately and then told my son and we went to pick him up.”

Mo after his 14-year adventure. Supplied / Paul Myburgh

Despite being separated for more than a decade, Myburgh said Mo had not changed much.

“The astonishing thing is although he’s obviously grown a huge amount – so he’s grown into his kangaroo paws – he’s exactly the same cat. Incredibly friendly. Just kind, wants to be around people all the time, absolutely fascinated with everything going on around him – mainly to check if it’s food or not.

“Exactly the same personality, which is just astonishing because he’s obviously been through quite a few hard things.”

What Mo got up to in the time he was gone is anyone’s best guess.

“It’s very hard to know,” Myburgh said. “He was found recently on the streets of Torbay, which is 16km away from where he went missing. From the look of him he’s not been to a vet in all that time, so I suspect for at least part of it he’s been living rough.”

If Mo was not chipped or registered on the Companion Animal Register, Myburgh reckons his story would not have had such a happy ending.

“I mean, the chances of a 16-year-old, slightly battered cat getting rehomed are pretty much nil. I’m a member of the grumpy old men club, but this is just heartwarming. I mean, it’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”

Mo will live the rest of his life in luxury, his owner says. Supplied / Paul Myburgh

Myburgh was determined to make up for lost time and pamper Mo as much as he could through his golden years.

“He’s now going to have a safe and happy retirement and he’s going to be spoilt rotten.”

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