Category: Public Media

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New Measles case with contacts to Auckland Airport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The measles virus, the US CDC says measles is very contagious and can be serious, and anyone who is not protected against the virus is at risk. Supplied/ US CDC

A new measles case has been detected in the country, with contacts at Auckland Airport.

Health New Zealand says rapid immunity checks are taking place at the airport for staff who have been exposed.

It has yet to provide detailed locations of interest.

It was gathering a more specific list of locations where the person may have been, a spokesperson said.

“There also may be additional locations published in subsequent days, following further assessment by the National Public Health Service,” she said.

Anyone at those locations needed to follow health advice.

“Anyone who develops symptoms of measles, including fever, cough, runny or red eyes, and a rash starting at the face, should contact Healthline on 0800 611 116, or their usual healthcare provider,” she said.

The new case did not change the national total of cases in the current outbreak, which stood at 19.

That was because an earlier case reported in the total had since returned overseas – where they were intially diagnosed – and would be officially counted in that country’s cases.

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

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Drones linked to AI used to help fix power grids

Source: Radio New Zealand

Four power lines companies are deploying drones linked to an artificial intelligence system to spot weak poles and lines.

They are linking in to Tapestry, a system created by Google to help maintain power grids and fix networks after natural disasters.

Northpower, the Orion Group, Unison Networks and WEL Networks have half a million customers.

They aim to train the AI on 10,000 images of 10 types of grid assets over the next two years.

“This technology will enhance our asset planning, help us dispatch crews with more efficiency, and ensure our teams know exactly what they are dealing with on every job,” Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod said in a statement on Wednesday.

WEL chief executive Garth Dibley said by working together the four would improve overall network reliability and efficiency.

“By sharing our network data, asset imagery, engineering expertise and technology platforms, we’re enabling smarter AI solutions that no single EDB [energy distribution business] could achieve alone,” he said in a statement.

Auckland lines company Vector has been training the AI models on its network for several years, after Google chose New Zealand for its “moonshot” project.

At Vector, the [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570610/how-drones-could-cut-aucklanders-power-bills

inspection time at a power pole was cut] from 30-45 minutes to under 10 minutes.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570610/how-drones-could-cut-aucklanders-power-bills

Business website reports the new move as, ‘Alphabet-Led AI Project to Shield New Zealand Grid From Outages’.

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

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Emergency housing motels end in Rotorua – but has it just shifted the problem elsewhere?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government is celebrating the end of emergency housing motels in Rotorua – but Labour says it has just shifted the problem elsewhere.

Rotorua became the country’s epicentre for emergency housing.

At its peak, there were more than 240 households across 13 motels. Now there are zero families in motels.

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka, who holds responsibility for the emergency housing portfolio, said Rotorua had become the “poster child” of a broken housing system, and its end reflected “deliberate, coordinated action”.

In 2023, National campaigned on ending emergency housing in Rotorua motels within two years.

“Rotorua whānau, businesses and mana whenua had been pleading for change for years. We listened and acted. We have restored safety, dignity and confidence to a city that was forced to absorb the consequences of a failed housing model,” Potaka said.

Referrals into emergency housing motels ended on 15 June with agencies working “intensively” to secure permanent placements.

The Ministry for Social Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had worked with Visions of a Helping Hand, WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust, Emerge Aotearoa, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Restore Rotorua and the Rotorua Lakes Council to move every household into “stable, secure homes”.

Through partnership with Ngāti Whakaue, 240 affordable rental housing units were being built at Manawa Gardens.

The remaining motels were now preparing to return to commercial operations, Potaka said.

“Rotorua is finally back on the front foot, it is safer, stronger, and open for growth. Our government will keep backing Rotorua to reclaim its reputation, grow its tourism economy, strengthen its housing supply, and unlock new opportunities for the city,” Potaka said.

But Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said the announcement was “tone deaf” and he did not know who Potaka was “trying to kid” by celebrating.

Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“No one is pretending that emergency housing was the solution to the housing crisis, but it’s a hell of a lot better than people sleeping on the streets. And all the minister is doing today is celebrating shifting people out of emergency housing to in front of families’ homes and businesses. That’s it, and it’s not much of a thing to celebrate.”

McAnulty said he had recently visited Rotorua and counted eight homeless people in one block of the town centre.

In January, Potaka announced the government had met its target to reduce the overall number of households in emergency housing by 75 percent five years early.

The Ministry of Social Development had also tightened the gateway for those trying to access emergency housing.

McAnulty said the government was focusing on people that had left emergency housing but did not want to talk about the people that could not get in.

“Emergency housing was only ever intended to temporarily house people while social houses were being built. But let’s look at what the government are doing. Kāinga Ora are no longer expanding their numbers. The funding that’s gone to community housing providers is a fraction of what they were getting under the Labour government, and people can’t get into emergency housing, and now they’ve closed them all together,” he said.

“It’s no surprise that homelessness is now what frontline providers are saying the worst in living memory.”

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

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Judgement Day: Why just winning in Cardiff won’t cut it for the All Blacks

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wales v All Blacks

Kick-off: 4:10am Sunday 23 November

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Live blog updates on RNZ

Analysis – A high pressure system has arrived directly over the All Blacks this week, ironically as they prepare to face easily the weakest team on their schedule in the last test of the year. Wales are arguably at the lowest ebb in their long, proud history, but that’s a conversation for that side of the world – right now, we’re one poor result away from a full on All Black crisis.

On the surface, nine wins from 12 tests doesn’t look too far away from the Springboks’ 10 from 12. However, Rassie Erasmus’ side is the gold standard after a big win against France and ability to roll out almost two completely different starting teams of equal quality.

Quite simply, the Springboks are only getting better as the season progresses, while you can’t say that about the All Blacks at all. In fact, in some tactical areas they’ve definitely gone backwards, and this weekend in Cardiff will show just where Scott Robertson’s overarching strategy regarding depth is at.

Photosport Ltd 2021/ Matt Impey

Robertson has already confirmed that the team will be rotated, which admittedly anyone could have guessed once the tour schedule was announced. There are several players in the squad that have been waiting for their turn to impress, while a couple more that have had to be put into the main test lineup already.

Whether the All Blacks like it or not, this test is going to be the one that could really expose a far more structural weakness and it’s a bit of a no-win situation anyway. It’s not like they’re going to lose – Wales are so bad they’d struggle to make the NPC playoffs – but they do have the ability to frustrate the All Blacks into playing poorly themselves.

Think back to the corresponding fixture last year, against Italy in Turin. It was a stinker in every sense of the word, with the Italians once again dragging the All Blacks down to their level and producing one of the least memorable displays of rugby in recent history. It says a lot that the most notable performance to come out of it was TJ Perenara leading the haka.

TJ Perenara, centre, leads the All Blacks haka ahead of their rugby test against Italy in Turin. November 2024. PHOTOSPORT

The All Blacks can’t afford a blundering stagger to the finish line, but even if they do smash Wales convincingly, it won’t be the main team that did it anyway. So really it rests on the performances of the newly rotated players to answer any questions regarding depth, but even then the ones over the coaching and direction will remain.

In their defence, the depth perception has been clear already in second row. Josh Lord has stepped up in Patrick Tuipulotu’s absence and Scott Barrett’s injury and showing just why the All Blacks have persisted with him despite the numerous injury issues of his own.

So now hopefully we’ll find out about a few more and what it might mean for the future, but even then, it might throw a spanner in the works regarding how valuable the All Black high performance set up is. George Bell and Sam Darry will get decent game time and if they go well, it’ll say more about the usefulness of them playing almost an entire NPC campaign with Canterbury.

This will very much be a test of how well prepared the All Black system is at priming the wider squad. Let’s just hope it’s more aesthetically pleasing than the shocker last year in Turin.

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

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Weather: Bay of Plenty on alert for possible floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

The heavy rain warnings in place in Bay of Plenty. MetService screenshot

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has activated its flood room protocols as it prepares for a downpour.

MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Bay of Plenty until 11pm on Wednesday, with 80mm to 110mm of rain on top of what has already fallen expected.

In a statement on social media the Bay of Plenty Regional Council said it was reacting as a result of the wet weather.

“This means our flood team is set up to monitor the situation 24/7 as it develops. We will be providing real-time river level information to supporting agencies (such as local councils and Waka Kotahi), to assist with planning and responding to local communities.

“We’ll also have our flood monitoring team out in the field. It’s their job to be the eyes and ears on the ground, checking flood defences (such as stopbanks and floodwalls), monitoring river levels, flows and rainfall and reporting back to the Flood Room.”

The council said members of its operations team were also out in the community, checking the condition of the flood infrastructure, assessing the weather conditions in key areas and pumping out flood waters from any drainage canals where needed.

“Your local council is also monitoring the situation and will be providing updates via their websites and social media channels around roading, blocked culverts/drains, and water/stormwater/wastewater.”

Heaviest rain in Auckland CBD

Meanwhile, central Auckland bore the brunt of the rain earlier on Wednesday, MetService says.

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island (until 2pm), Waitomo, Waikato and Taupō (until 6pm), Bay of Plenty (until 11pm) and Tongariro National Park (until 10pm).

MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala said all those areas had received a “decent amount” of rain overnight.

It was heaviest in Auckland, particularly in the central city, he said.

Have you been caught up in the weather? Share your stories and pictures with us at iwitness@rnz.co.nz

“Some stations in Auckland have recorded about 15.5mm of rain in the period of an hour, some even as high as 21mm of rain,” he said.

There was a possibility of flooding with that amount of rain, Magwala said.

The band of rain would move eastwards throughout the day, easing before another band was due to ramp up again in the afternoon.

Gisborne was not under a weather warning, but the rain was heading that way later this afternoon, he said.

After Wednesday, high pressure would begin to build, Magwala said, “giving us some more settled weather for a couple of days”.

Taumarunui and Taihape north of Ohakune, as well as Taranaki are also under heavy rain watches until Wednesday.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reported flooding on State Highway 25 Whitianga to Tairua on Wednesday morning with delays and detours expected until further notice.

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

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Four accused in Gulf Harbour body in bag case to represent themselves in court

Source: Radio New Zealand

The victim, Shulai Wang of China. Supplied / Police

Four people charged over the death of a woman whose body was found in plastic bags in the waters of Auckland’s Gulf Harbour, have chosen to represent themselves at their trial next year.

The body, which was discovered by a fisherman in March last year, was later identified as 70-year-old Shulai Wang.

Two men and two women are facing charges of kidnapping and manslaughter, and are set to face trial in May next year.

All have interim name suppression.

The younger of the men is also facing additional charges of perverting the course of justice and giving false information to immigration officers.

At an administrative appearance at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, their lawyer Ron Mansfield told the court the four defendants wanted to act on their own behalf for their trial, and he was withdrawing from the case.

Justice Mathew Downs spoke to each of the defendants, two of whom needed the assistance of a Mandarin interpreter, to confirm their decision.

“You understand that you and other defendants are facing a serious charge as manslaughter,” Justice Downs asked the younger of the two male defendants.

The defendant said “We understand”.

Asked if he wished to represent himself, the man said: “yes we all do”.

Justice Downs said he would ask each of the defendants separately as the man shouldn’t be able to speak for all the others.

He also told the man “I don’t know a human on the earth that would recommend you defend yourself”, but later added he respected their decision.

The younger of the two female defendants also told the judge that she wished to defend herself in trial.

The remaining two defendants, who required interpretation, appeared confused when asked by Justice Downs what they wanted to do in the criminal trial.

Justice Downs told the younger male defendant that he could appoint standby lawyers to help them with their defences, and asked if he would like to do that.

The defendant said, “we still prefer we can communicate directly with the court so there will be no misunderstanding”.

Justice Downs approved Mansfield’s application to withdraw from the case and said he needed to reflect on what should be done in relation to the defendants.

He set a date in December to discuss with the defendants about their decision to self-represent, and whether standby lawyers will be appointed for each of them.

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

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NZ Cricket record another surplus, reserves at record high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

New Zealand Cricket says a $2.2 million surplus for the financial year, turning around a forecasted $6.8m deficit, shows it’s in a strong financial position.

Board chairperson Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said the organisation had a strong bottom line, with reserves at a record $37m, supported by strong broadcasting agreements, high-value playing programmes, and a solid commercial base.

The 2025 result follows an $8m surplus in 2024 and Puketapu-Lyndon said the position underlines NZ Cricket’s stability and resilience.

“A small net surplus represents a significant outperformance against budget, reflecting prudent management and disciplined oversight – through what was a challenging operating environment.

“… [It] should provide confidence in its ability to continue investing in the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.”

Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged the role of its members in contributing to a cricket ecosystem well-placed to adjust and adapt to future needs.

“Cricket here has never been a one-size-fits-all affair and NZC places great value in the ability of our major and district associations, and clubs to understand what works best in their regions and catchments.

“We’re committed to working closely with them to ensure they’re well equipped to service the grassroots environment upon which our entire game is based.”

Meanwhile, former New Zealand Test player, coach and selector Mark Greatbatch has been elected president of New Zealand Cricket.

Greatbatch, who played 41 Tests and 84 One Day Internationals for his country between 1988 and 1996, replaces Lesley Murdoch, who completed her three-year term.

On the board, Sarah Beaman rotated off at the end of her three-year term and opted against re-standing. Kevin Malloy rotated off and was re-elected for a third term.

The meeting elected three life members: former Test players Rebecca Rolls, Martin Snedden, and Ewen Chatfield.

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Police attend 7370 fewer mental health calls in a year after changes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson. Nathan Mckinnon

Police attended 7370 fewer mental health-related requests in the year to June, a result of the deliberate plan to wind back on responding to calls for help.

The department expects to respond to even fewer calls this year as it enters phase three of that plan.

Under phase three, which kicked off on Monday:

  • Non-emergency mental health-related requests will be assessed against updated guidance to determine if police assistance is required. This includes requests for assistance under legislation, requests for assistance from in-patient mental health units and other requests from mental health services to police;
  • Reports of missing persons with mental health concerns (including those who have left mental health facilities and services or EDs) will be assessed against updated guidance to determine the appropriate police involvement.

The phased approach began a year ago and has so far involved police limiting the time spent with someone in an emergency department, raising the threshold for transport of someone with a mental illness, and tightening rules around where mental health assessments can take place.

Police maintain they will attend calls if there has been an offence committed or if there is a risk to life or safety.

Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson told Nine to Noon they were comfortable with the roll-out of phases one and two and were now ready to move to the next level.

Health NZ director of specialist mental health and addiction Karla Bergquist said mental health practitioners in particular were being given much clearer guidance about when it is appropriate to seek police assistance.

“The other thing that has been happening in the background as we prepare for this phase is making that much more consistent across the country and helping our staff to communicate what’s needed very clearly to police so that they can make good decisions about their involvement.”

But while police were rolling back their attendance, they would still respond when situations met their updated guidelines.

Johnson said on the first day of the phase three roll-out they had an example of a non-urgent request for transport which was granted.

“We had a request in Gore down south on Monday where mental health services reached out for a transport. We did an assessment and sent some police staff to assist.”

Johnson said the process for responding when people were missing with mental health concerns had been streamlined and training for both police and health staff updated.

“We want to make sure that where it’s required we will absolutely get our police staff there, but that’s not in all cases.”

The fourth and final phase, which Johnson said was scheduled for early next year, would see 15-minute ED handovers, and police lifting the threshold for welfare checks where there is not believed to be a risk of criminality or safety.

In emergency situations both the public and health practitioners were still advised to call 111.

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Auckland crews called in after fire in building at Port Whangārei

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Fire and Emergency says Auckland crews have been called in to assist with the dampening down of hotspots after a storage building fire at Port Whangārei.

It says crews were alerted to a fire on Kioreroa Road at the port about 7:30pm on Tuesday.

The two-storey commercial building is used for the storage and installation of solar panels and lithium batteries.

At the height of the incident there were 11 crews attending, including a ladder truck from Auckland.

Advice from emergency services for residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke drift was lifted just before 1.30am on Wednesday.

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