Category: Public Media

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Hastings hosts Aotearoa’s national Māori language festival Toitū te Reo

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thousands of te reo learners are gathering in Hastings for the second year Aotearoa’s national Māori language festival Toitū te Reo which is taking place on Thursday and Friday. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Thousands of te reo learners are gathering the Hawke’s Bay for the second year Aotearoa’s national Māori language festival Toitū te Reo.

Described as a two-day “celebration, inspiration, education, and activation of the language and culture”, it is hosted in Heretaunga Hastings on Thursday and Friday.

The audience has the chance to hear from those still learning te reo, such as broadcasters Mike McRoberts and Moana Maniapoto while rubbing shoulders with long-time advocates such as Sir Timoti Karetu.

The festival is divided into two zones, Rangimamao which is entirely in te reo Māori and Pūmotomoto which is entirely in English.

RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Part of Hastings Street North is also cordoned of for kai stalls, Māori businesses and musical performances.

Festival founder and director Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod said it was pleasing to see people enjoying themselves and hearing the language being used.

Having two zones is to make this a welcoming space so people can participate regardless of the level of language, because even non-speakers play a huge part in championing the language, he said.

“The future of the language rests with everyone regardless of your level of proficiency and language champions come in all shapes and sizes and some of those people that championed the language back in the initial stages of the renaissance in the 70s weren’t speakers of the language but they were prepared to die for the language.”

MacLeod said one of the themes of Toitū te Reo was “te Tiro Whakaroto what can we do?”

“Toitū te Reo is about what we can do. And what we can do is look to ourselves, we can be resolute, we can be steadfast and we can put a stake in the ground and have an unwavering commitment to the language regardless of policy, rhetoric, social media, newspapers, because like anything the tide will ebb and flow.”

Leon Blake is leading one of the sessions at Toitū te Reo. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

Te reo advocate Leon Blake was leading a session on the evergreen topic of the A and O categories of te reo, two small letters that can be a big hoha for learners.

“E rongo ana e rere haere ana i waenganui i te iwi kua tae mai nei, no reira kua tino koa kua tino tau hoki te mauri.”

I’m hearing the language flow freely among all the people who have arrived today, so I’m feeling very happy and settled.

Part of Hastings Street North is also cordoned of for kai stalls, Māori businesses and musical performances. RNZ / Pokere Paewai

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

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Auckland FC owner Bill Foley sells stake in Scottish Premier League club

Source: Radio New Zealand

Texas billionaire Bill Foley who is bank rolling the new Auckland A League club. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Auckland FC owner Bill Foley has sold his interest in Scottish football club Hibernian.

The Scottish Premier League side has confirmed that majority shareholder Bydand Sports LLC has completed the acquisition of Black Knight Football Club’s shares.

Hibs chairperson Ian Gordon said in a statement: “Over the last few months, we have had detailed conversations with the Black Knight Football Club group regarding Hibernian FC.

“During those discussions it became clear there are philosophical differences in our visions for the club. We mutually agreed this decision was best for both organisations.”

Foley, who owns English Premier League side Bournemouth, bought a 25 percent stake in Hibernian in early 2024.

Many Hibs supporters had become concerned that Hibernian FC would become a feeder club for Bournemouth, which Foley bought in 2022.

The 80-year-old billionaire has not attended a Hibs game.

Foley is the chairperson and chief executive of Black Knight Sports and Entertainment group, which also owns the Las Vegas Golden Knights NHL club.

In 2023 the Australian Professional Leagues awarded a licence to Foley’s group with Auckland FC entering the A-League in 2024.

All Whites keeper Alex Paulsen was signed by Bournemouth from the Wellington Phoenix in June 2024 and then went out on loan to Auckland FC for the 2024-25 A-League season.

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

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Bill to expand Road User Charges introduced

Source: Radio New Zealand

The shift from a system of matching odometer readings to paper labels on the windscreen, towards using subscriptions through private companies. RNZ

A bill to make road tolling easier and shift Road User Charges (RUCs) towards a digital tracking system has been introduced to Parliament.

In a statement, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill‘s changes to road tolling would enable drivers to be charged for driving on new, better roads where there was an alternative.

“Tolling helps us bring forward investment and build the roads New Zealand needs sooner,” he said.

“Corridor tolling… allows tolling on parts of an existing road where users receive clear, demonstrable benefits from a new project in the same corridor.

“The bill also introduces new tools to manage diversion from toll roads, including the ability to restrict heavy vehicles from using unsuitable alternative routes.”

Councils would be able to use the money to help maintain the alternative routes, and costs would be tagged to inflation.

The changes to RUCs shift from a system of matching odometer readings to paper labels on the windscreen, towards using subscriptions through private companies.

Bishop said the digital devices used to track distance travelled would future-proof the system “and separates New Zealand Transport Agency’s regulatory role from its retail role so third-party providers compete on a level playing field”.

“These changes are the first step towards replacing petrol tax with RUC for light petrol vehicles. We’ll assess the improved system in 2027 before deciding on next steps for transitioning the remaining 3.5 million vehicles.”

Chris Bishop. RNZ / Nick Monro

The minister’s statement also confirmed a procurement process via the government tendering service GETS would be undertaken later this month “to test options with potential market providers on the design of new third-party RUC payment services”.

The government last March expanded the distance-based RUC charging system from applying to diesel and heavy vehicles, to also include light electric vehicles.

EVs had been exempt from the scheme since 2009, but multiple governments had proposed bringing in the charges for EVs once they accounted for 2 percent of vehicles on the roads.

EV owners pay the same $76 per 1000km rate as diesel vehicle owners, while plug-in hybrid owners pay $38. The money raised goes towards the National Land Transport Fund.

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Infratil posts $2 billion first-half revenue

Source: Radio New Zealand

Infratil chief executive Jason Boyes. Supplied

Infrastructure investor Infratil has reported a strong first-half net profit, with revenue up more than a third to $2 billion.

It said underlying profit rose 7 percent, despite New Zealand’s economy remaining relatively subdued throughout the period ended in September.

Key numbers for the six months ended September compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $631.5m* vs net loss $206.4m**
  • Revenue $1.993b vs $1.482b
  • Underlying profit $662.4m vs $68.8m
  • Total debt $2.62b vs $2.19b as at 31 March
  • Total asset value $19b versus $18.3b
  • Interim dividend 7.25 cents a share vs unchanged
  • *Reflected sale of Manawa Energy resulting net surplus of $606m
  • **Net loss reflected a number of one-time costs and a revaluation gain in the year earlier.

Infratil chief executive Jason Boyes said profit growth was largely driven by United States-based Longroad Energy, Australasia’s CDC data centre business, while capital expenses fell $52m to $1.14b on the year earlier.

“Digital and renewable energy thematics are stronger than ever, with CDC and Longroad building strong earnings momentum on the back of new waves of demand,” Boyes said.

“CDC has recently announced 140 megawatts of contracts and Longroad Energy reached financial close for 925MW of new projects.

“Gurīn Energy in Asia is another investment poised for growth and we’re always scanning for other attractive new growth sectors.”

He said the company was about 58 percent on its way to meeting its $1b divestment target, with sale agreements in place for RetireAustralia, Fortysouth and a legacy property asset. A strategic review of Qscan is also underway.

“Our focus is on simplifying our current portfolio and reinvesting in areas with strong thematic drivers, to position Infratil for continued growth and shareholder returns.”

New Zealand business performance

Despite the weak New Zealand economy, Boyes said Infratil’s New Zealand businesses had been largely resilient.

Wellington Airport reported 4 percent growth in underlying profit with international passengers numbers up 7 percent, while domestic passenger numbers fell 5 percent.

Telecommunications company One NZ, which accounted for about 58 percent of underlying profit, saw revenue rise by $14 million on the year earlier.

“Revenues have lifted through a mix of pricing and service initiatives, including the One Wallet loyalty programme and SpaceX text services – with more than 6 million texts now sent via the exclusive satellite service.”

The RHCNZ Medical Imaging business saw a pick-up in scans, though underlying profit fell on lower margins and cost inflation. However, Boyes said the outlook was more positive for the second half.

“This includes creating a standalone teleradiology service provider that will include staff and assets from Infratil’s Australian diagnostic imaging investment, Qscan, ” he said, adding its Qscan’s underlying profit rose 11 percent, with a positive mix of imaging demand and pricing changes.

Boyes said the company was poised for long-term growth, with its increased investment in Contact Energy expected to generate financial flexibility for the firm.

Underlying profit guidance for the full year ending in March was between $1b and $1.05b on a like-for-like basis, or between $960m to $1b following the sale of RetireAustralia and Fortysouth.

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

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Some schools defy government move on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Tom Furley

Some schools are defying the government’s removal of their Treaty of Waitangi obligations.

Their boards have published public statements affirming their commitment to the treaty.

It followed the government’s surprise decision last week to remove a legal requirement to give effect to the treaty by means including teaching te reo Māori – a change that was passed by Parliament this week.

The schools come from around the country and some made statements directed at Education Minister Erica Stanford.

Dyer Street School in Hutt Valley said upholding the treaty was the right thing to do for its students.

“We wish to make it clear that this decision is not a political statement, rather, it is a decision ground in our sense of educational and civic responsibility,” it said.

Queen’s High School in Dunedin said its connections with manawhenua were foundational to the school and honouring the treaty was a moral imperative.

“Therefore we want to be absolutely clear, the Queen’s High School board is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that Te Tiriti o Waitangi continues to inform our governance and decision-making. We will continue to honour the principles of Tiriti o Waitangi in all that we do,” it said.

“Our commitment is not a compliance exercise, it is a moral imperative that enriches the education we offer and ensures all students, especially Māori students, see themselves and their culture valued and reflected in the school environment.”

Putāruru Primary School’s board said it would continue to give full effect to the treaty.

“While government policy may shift, our strategic direction will not. We will not be swayed by divisive politics,” it said.

“Strong communities are built through partnership – not by rolling back commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

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

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Record number of New Zealanders leave country, visits from Australia surge

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

New figures show Australian visitor arrivals surged over the past year – while migration data shows a record number of New Zealanders leaving.

Stats NZ said visitor arrivals from across the Tasman reached 1.48 million in the year ended September, up from 1.33m the year before.

Stats NZ said it was the second-highest number of Australian visitor arrivals after 2019, pre-pandemic.

“The increase in visitor numbers from Australia in the September 2025 year coincided with an increase in flights between Australia and New Zealand, and a Tourism New Zealand marketing campaign from early 2025 targeting the Australian market,” Stats NZ international travel statistics spokesperson Bryan Downes said.

Overall visitor arrivals were 3.43m for the year, an increase of 197,000 from the prior year.

Aside from Australia, the biggest increases were from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Record number of NZers leave the country, again

Stats NZ also released migration data, showing annual net migration gains were 12,400 in the year ended September, compared to a net gain of 42,400 in the same period last year.

For New Zealand citizens, the net migration loss was 46,400 in the September 2025 year, driven by a record departure of 72,700 New Zealanders – primarily to Australia.

Stats NZ said 26,300 New Zealand citizens arrived in the period.

Net migration gains for non-New Zealand citizens were 58,800, reflecting 112,600 arrivals and 53,800 departures.

For migrant arrivals the biggest groups were New Zealand citizens, followed by China, India and the Philippines.

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

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Paid firefighters call off latest strike

Source: Radio New Zealand

The union said members will not strike for an hour on Friday as planned. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Paid firefighters have called off their latest strike, saying new information has surfaced that will be key to pay talks.

The Professional Firefighters Union and Fire and Emergency (FENZ) have been in a lengthy stalemate over pay and conditions.

The union said members will not strike for an hour on Friday as planned, and it will be back in bargaining on Monday and Tuesday.

It said it has new information that is “pivotal” to the bargaining talks.

A separate strike notice for 21 November, also for an hour, was issued last week.

It comes after RNZ reported on Thursday morning that FENZ had launched the biggest restructure in its eight-year existence.

RNZ obtained a 266-page change proposal in which FENZ expresses sympathy and support for the at least 140 people slated to lose their jobs.

Unions say the proposal poses many risks and will decimate the agency most relied on for first response in emergencies.

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Schools, early learning centres urged to stop using asbestos-contaminated sand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Educational Colours Rainbow Sand has been recalled. Supplied / Product Safety NZ

The Ministry of Education has alerted schools and early learning centres to stop using coloured play sand contaminated with asbestos.

It comes after tremolite, a naturally occurring asbestos, was found in rainbow sand sold by two brands, Education Colours and Creatistics.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recalled the products immediately.

The Ministry of Education spokesperson Sean Teddy told RNZ he was first made aware of the recall on Friday 7 November.

“At this stage we do not have enough information to quantify how widespread the use of the product is in schools and early learning services,” Teddy said.

“Yesterday, we alerted schools and early learning services … advising them to take a precautionary approach and stop using the products immediately and to notify us if the product is in use at their location.”

A bulletin posted online by the ministry told educators not to attempt to remove the sand by themselves.

“If the sand is loose or in use in your facility, please instruct everyone to leave the area, block it off and make sure it is not accessible,” the bulletin read.

“Do not vacuum or sweep floors where there is sand, or attempt to clean it up. Contact a licensed professional for safe removal.”

Teddy acknowledged parents would be concerned about the recall notice and said the ministry would keep working with MBIE, WorkSafe and Health NZ to learn how widely the sand was used.

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

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Ombudsman warns customers not to falsify flood insurance claims

Source: Radio New Zealand

The ombudsman said it’s important to know the consequences of making a false statement on an insurance claim. 123rf

The insurance ombudsman is urging customers not to embellish claims for flood damage.

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme), which reviews insurance complaints, said with more frequent flooding events, people could risk their recovery by falsifying statements.

Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, said it’s important to know the consequences of making a false statement on an insurance claim.

“Providing false information can result in your whole claim being declined, not just the items that were inaccurately included. And if you’re found to have committed fraud, then you’ll likely not be able to get insurance in future,” she said.

Stevens said if people are unsure about the details, they should check before submitting their claim.

“Its important to remember that insurance relies on trust. Honesty is always the best policy-especially when so many are relying on insurance to recover from natural disasters,” Stevens said.

The warning follows a recent investigation where an Auckland woman’s claim for flood-damaged household contents was declined.

IFSO Scheme said after the Auckland floods in January 2023, the woman claimed that 43 household items-including large pieces of furniture-had been damaged and thrown away.

But, the insurer’s investigation revealed that some of these items were actually stored at a nearby storage facility.

When questioned, Heather provided a revised list with only 10 items.

The insurer’s findings were that the false statements had been made in support of the claim and, under the policy’s terms, declined the woman’s claim and cancelled her policy.

The customer subsequently made a complaint to the IFSO Scheme, asking them to review the case.

She claimed family members had helped move and dispose of the household items and that she had not visited the storage unit herself.

Despite that, the IFSO Scheme found it was “deliberately reckless” for the woman to claim the items had been thrown out and seek compensation without taking reasonable steps to verify this.

The complaint was not upheld by the IFSO Scheme.

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Former financial advisor David McEwen pleads guilty to criminal charges

Source: Radio New Zealand

David McEwen is due to be sentenced on 14 January. Screenshot / YouTube

Former Auckland financial advisor David McEwen has pleaded guilty to all charges for breaching a banning order imposed by the financial markets regulator.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) previously issued warnings about financial products and related advice provided by McEwen and his associated entities.

It issued a stop order against McEwen in 2023, and criminal charges were filed against him in December 2024 for breaching the stop order.

FMA head of enforcement Margot Gatland said the agency continued to recommend investors contacted by McEwen or related entities report it to the FMA.

“Ultimately, confident participation in the financial markets can only exist if an intrinsic level of market integrity exists, which stop order provisions serve to facilitate,” Gatland said.

The FMA also previously told former or existing clients of McEwen or subscribers to his publication “McEwen Investment Report” to check their credit and debit card statements for possible unauthorised payments.

The FMA said it received complaints from his clients suspecting card payments were made without their permission.

McEwen is due to be sentenced on 14 January.

McEwen was a business journalist prior to his investment career, and worked for well-known publications, including the Financial Times, National Business Review and Reuters.

He later founded his advisory firm Stockfox, and was a director of McEwen & Associates.

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