Category: Public Media

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Mike King steps down as chief executive of mental health charity I Am Hope Foundation

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mike King is stepping down as chief executive of the mental health charity I Am Hope Foundation but says he will continue to play a key role in the organisation in a new capacity. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The outspoken founder of a mental health charity is stepping down from chief executive duties and looking for a successor.

Mike King launched the I Am Hope Foundation, which runs Gumboot Friday, and said it was time for the charity to have a new vision and a new voice to take it forward.

“When we started I Am Hope it was nothing more than a dream, a small group of people trying to make sure every young person could access free mental health support without barriers,” he said.

“Building this organisation from scratch has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. But we’ve reached a point where it’s time for a new vision and a new voice to take us forward.”

King will continue to play a key role in the organisation in a new capacity, not yet announced.

“I’ve loved every second of this journey, the wins, the challenges, the people. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made through Gumboot Friday, funding thousands of counselling sessions for young Kiwis. Now it’s time for someone else to build on that legacy.”

At times controversial, King’s comments last year about alcohol and mental illness drew criticism.

The government last year committed $24 million over four years to the Gumboot Friday initiative, which offers free counselling to young people.

That was despite pressure from Labour at the time, who called on the government to pause its funding of I Am Hope/Gumboot Friday following King’s controversial comments on alcohol.

“Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental health issues. It’s actually the solution to our problem, until you come up with a better solution,” King said at the time.

The Drug Foundation rejected that, saying alcohol was “really unhelpful during times of mental distress”.

King said the recruitment process for the new chief executive will begin in the coming weeks.

He has been executive director and principal ambassador for I Am Hope, carrying a share of the organisation’s chief executive duties.

Since launching Gumboot Friday in 2019, the initiative has provided more than 137,000 free counselling sessions to young New Zealanders aged 5 to 25.

King said he would continue to play a key role in the organisation in a new capacity, which will be announced alongside the appointment of the new chief executive.

“I’m not going anywhere,” King said.

“My passion for helping young people hasn’t changed. I’ll be taking on a new role that lets me get back to what I love most, connecting with people, challenging the system, and championing hope.”

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

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Watch live: Urgent Parliament debate into damning report in police handling of McSkimming saga

Source: Radio New Zealand

Parliament is set to urgently debate a damning report into police handling of complaints against disgraced former top cop Jevon McSkimming.

A damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police over how they handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner McSkimming

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has revealed 36 emails about McSkimming were kept from him by police.

Meanwhile, Social Investment Agency boss Andrew Coster – the Police Commissioner at the time of the McSkimming probe – has been put on leave and is refusing 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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Police charge third person with murder of Tristan Oakes in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty

Source: Radio New Zealand

This arrest brings the total number of people charged with murdering the 29-year-old to three. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police on Wednesday charged a third man with the murder of Tristan Oakes in his Te Puke home at the weekend.

Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said police investigating the murder today arrested a 24-year-old Te Puke man and charged him with murder.

This brought the total number of people charged with murdering the 29-year-old to three.

Police had charged a further three Te Puke men, aged 29, 30, and 33, with burglary, Flowerdew-Brown said.

All six men were scheduled to appear in Tauranga District Court Wednesday afternoon.

Police thanked the community for their assistance during the investigation.

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

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Redundancy ‘a last resort’: Fire and Emergency set to propose sweeping changes, some jobs to go

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) is expected to suggest sweeping changes to its organisation and some jobs to go, but to safeguard firefighters, in a deepseated change proposal due out on Wednesday.

“Redundancy will be a last resort,” chief executive Kerry Gregory told FENZ’s 3000 paid personnel in an update last week obtained by RNZ.

“We will not be offering voluntary redundancies. Fire and Emergency is committed to retaining valuable skills and experience wherever possible.”

FENZ is looking to cut costs and save $50 million a year, as well as reset itself for a future of rising demand from not just fires but the likes of big storms, documents showed.

RNZ has asked if FENZ will be making the change proposal document public. It has 15,000 personnel all up – 12,000 volunteer firefighters, about 1800 paid firefighters, and 1200 or so corporate, admin and support staff.

It had earlier promised no change to frontline firefighter numbers or to what it responds to, whether fires, medical emergencies or flood rescues – though Gregory had also told staff, “We can’t keep doing everything for everybody”.

RNZ revealed last week that the restructure of the $800m-a-year agency was being drawn up by Gregory, with a proposal that gave two weeks for feedback, and with final decisions due before Christmas

“This change is looking at the whole organisation and how we operate, but frontline firefighters and ComCen call takers will not be losing their jobs as part of these proposals,” he said in the November 4 ‘town hall’ with staff.

“I can reassure you that no one will be losing their job this side of Christmas.

“I do acknowledge that uncertainty will exist for anyone whose roles are confirmed disestablished when the decisions are released.”

FENZ had already disestablished 11 positions, and set up six new roles, for a total loss of five roles, in the first phase of the reset – but some of those people were retained “so they could be part of the talent pool” following the more major, second phase being embarked on now.

“This is setting us up to become a more effective and efficient organisation that can deliver on our goals.”

“In this phase, we are working across the organisation to ensure the functions and branches can deliver the organisational changes we believe we need to make,” the notes of Gregory’s ‘town hall’ with personnel last week said.

“We deliver our services right across the whole country so how we deliver those services needs to be factored into any final decisions.”

The new structure would be stood up around March and April.

“We are hoping anyone disestablished will be looking to secure a new roles in the organisation in the first instance.”

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

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When are the public holidays in 2026 and how can I maximise my annual leave?

Source: Radio New Zealand

With some strategic planning, you can maximise the amount of time you get off work using the least amount of annual leave. Unsplash

Counting down the days to a well-earned summer break?

With some strategic planning, you can maximise the amount of time you get off work while using the least amount of annual leave.

Here are the key dates to be aware of.

Christmas and New Year

Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as well as the New Year’s statutory holidays fall on a Thursday and Friday in 2025.

Use those stat days, along with six days of annual leave, to take off 22, 23, 24 of December, along with 29, 30 and 31 December to get a 16-day stretch of time off work.

Easter weekend 2026

Unlike in recent years, Easter and Anzac Day do not fall in the same week, so you lose the opportunity to combine those stats for extended time off.

However, use the Good Friday and Easter Monday stat days, and book eight days of annual leave for March 30, 31 and April 1 and 2, along with April 7, 8, 9 and 10 to get 16 days off work.

When are the public and anniversary holidays in 2026?

  • New Year’s Day – Thursday 1 January
  • Day after New Year’s Day – Friday 2 January
  • Wellington Anniversary – Monday 19 January
  • Auckland Anniversary – Monday 26 January
  • Nelson Anniversary – Monday 2 February
  • Waitangi Day – Friday 6 February
  • Taranaki Anniversary – Monday 9 March
  • Otago Anniversary – Monday 23 March
  • Good Friday – Friday 3 April
  • Easter Monday – Monday 6 April
  • Southland Anniversary – Tuesday 7 April
  • Anzac Day – 25 April (Observed Monday 27 April)
  • King’s Birthday – Monday 1 June
  • Matariki – Friday 10 July
  • South Canterbury Anniversary – Monday 28 September
  • Hawke’s Bay Anniversary – Friday 23 October
  • Labour Day – Monday 26 October
  • Marlborough Anniversary – Monday 2 November
  • Canterbury Anniversary – Friday 13 November
  • Westland Anniversary – Monday 30 November
  • Chatham Islands Anniversary – Monday 30 November
  • Christmas Day – Friday 25 December
  • Boxing Day – 26 December (Observed Monday 28 December)

What about school terms in 2025?

While exact start dates for individual schools differ, Term 1 starts between Monday 26 January and Monday 9 February (at the latest).

Term 1 is 10 weeks long, with the last day being 9 April. It includes one public holiday; Waitangi Day on February 6.

Term 2: Eleven weeks. Begins 20 April and ends 3 July, and includes two public holidays; Anzac Day (observed 27 April) and King’s Birthday on 1 June.

Term 3: 10 weeks. Begins 20 July and ends 25 September. There are no public holidays in Term 3.

Term 4: Begins Monday 12 October and ends no later than Friday 18 December, and includes the Labour Day public holiday on October 26.

When are the school holidays?

The first lot of school holidays run from April 3 to April 19 and include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday.

Term two school holidays run from 4 July to 19 July and include the Matariki public holiday on Friday 10 July.

Term three school holidays run from 26 September to 11 October.

The summer holidays start no later than 19 December and run for five or six weeks – from the school’s closing date until opening date of 2027.

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

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Tributes flow for beloved student Emma Heathcote, who died in quad bike accident

Source: Radio New Zealand

Solway College student Emma Heathcote died after a crash involving an ATV. Supplied/Facebook

Tributes have poured in online for a Masterton college student who died in an quad bike accident on Monday.

Solway College student Emma Heathcote died after a crash involving an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) at a property in the Tararua District.

“Our beloved, Emma Heathcote, was taken from us in a tragic accident on the 10 November 2025,” a social media posted on behalf of Heathcote’s family by Buzz King said.

“Emma had the biggest heart we have ever known. She was resilient in her own quiet way, with a buoyant sense of humour that lifted everyone around her.’

She was loved deeply by her parents Tony and Jenny, her sisters Amelia and Maddy, her grandparents, and all her wider whanau and friends, it said.

“Our hearts are aching beyond words.”

The post has since received over 1000 reactions and more than 100 comments, with people reminiscing about her equestrian skills and her bright personality.

“She was such a wonderful girl with the greatest sense of humour. She never failed to put a smile on anyone’s face and I am heartbroken to know we have lost such a bright light,” said one person.

“Still in shock after hearing the news earlier today – such a gorgeous and lovely young lady who was doing so well with the horses too,” said another.

“I am so sad to read this. Had the pleasure of watching Emma and Malibu jumping together and winning over the last couple of weeks,” a third said.

“Emma was the most polite, talented, helpful and fun young lady, always volunteering to help out and such a popular and great mate to so many,” another said.

Meanwhile, another statement on behalf of the family issued by the police said they were overwhelmingly heartbroken.

“Words cannot express the grief we are feeling at the moment. We are grateful to our wonderful community for the support they are giving our family.”

Police said WorkSafe had been advised and the death would be referred to the Coroner.

A service for Emma is to be held at Solway College on 15 November.

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

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Thousands of indigenous educators to meet in Tāmaki Makaurau for event

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s the first time in 20 years the global event has returned to Aotearoa. Supplied / WIPCE

Thousands of indigenous educators and leaders from around the world are set to gather in Tāmaki Makaurau next week for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE).

It’s the first time in 20 years the global event has returned to Aotearoa, with more than 3800 delegates expected to attend.

Hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau (AUT) and iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the five-day conference will be held at the Aotea Centre from 16-20 November.

The event opens with a pōwhiri on Sunday, followed by a colourful ‘Parade of Nations’ along Queen Street, where representatives from more than 20 Indigenous cultures will march in official kākahu (attire).

WIPCE Co-Chairs Dr Noe Noe Wilson-Wong, Dr Bentham Ohia, Professor Damon Salesa and Professor Meihana Durie said the gathering celebrates indigenous unity and knowledge-sharing.

“WIPCE is about celebrating and affirming a shared sense of Indigenous determination and unity,” the co-chairs said in a joint statement.

“WIPCE is also a time to draw inspiration from the power of Indigenous ceremony, language, culture and scholarship and to reimagine the future of Indigenous education through sharing our deepest experiences, our distinctive histories and bold visions for the future.”

WIPCE Co-Chair Professor Meihana Durie said WIPCE unites Indigenous educators, scholars and champions from across the world. Supplied / WIPCE

Alongside their iwi manaaki of Ngāti Whātua Orākei, the chairs said they look forward to welcoming manuhiri to Aotearoa and in particular, to Tāmaki Makaurau, “a city that is home to the largest number of Pacific peoples in the world”.

Durie said the kaupapa provides a global platform for indigenous voices and aspirations.

“Although it is clear that indigenous rights remain under immense threat, this gathering unites indigenous educators, scholars and champions from across the world,” he said.

“Amplifying indigenous voices and aspirations to transcend barriers that limit our collective potential, and more importantly, to achieve transformative inter-generational outcomes for indigenous education worldwide.”

Durie said WIPCE is all about thinking about the future, and how to navigate it collectively as Indigenous people.

“Our greatest strength comes through our unification.”

The conference will feature keynote speakers including distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Dr Teina Rongo and actor-producer Cliff Curtis.

The kaupapa is set to deliver a major boost to the city’s economy, generating an estimated $8.275 million. Supplied / WIPCE

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said WIPCE will also deliver a major boost to the city’s economy, generating an estimated $8.275 million and more than 16,600 visitor nights.

“In addition, this gathering reflects our identity as the world’s largest Māori and Polynesian city, enriched by more than 200 ethnicities. We are committed to sharing knowledge that connects us all.”

For those not attending the conference, a free public festival Te Ao Pūtahi will run in Aotea Square over the week, featuring kapa haka, live music, kai and workshops – all celebrating indigenous culture.

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Police following ‘strong’ leads in Wainoni shooting investigation

Source: Radio New Zealand

Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said police were following strong lines of inquiry in relation to the shooting. RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon

Christchurch police are still hunting for the person who shot and badly injured a woman in the Christchurch suburb of Wainoni.

The woman was in a stable condition in hospital after being shot at a property in Shortland Street on Monday night.

The person fled in a car, in what is believed to be a gang-related shooting.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said police were following strong lines of inquiry.

“Police would like to reassure the community this is believed to be an isolated incident with no increased risk to the public,” she said.

“The victim sustained a single gunshot and is in a stable condition in hospital. Police are concerned around the dangerous and violent act in public and have an increased presence in and around Christchurch as officers carry out reassurance patrols.”

Shortland Street woman Shirley Achari said she heard people yelling and then what she thought was fireworks on the night the woman was shot.

A neighbour heard shouting and what she thought were fireworks on the night of the shooting. RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon

“We heard but we didn’t come out to see what was happening because I thought it was a group of people shouting and yelling. Then the shooting one, we thought it was firecrackers,” she said.

Achari said she had often seen a young girl from the house going to school but otherwise did not know the family.

The shooting had come as a shock because the neighbourhood was usually very quiet, she said.

“I always tell everyone, my friends, that this is the quietest place and we are very safe and lucky to stay here in Shortland Street because we like quiet neighbours,” she said.

Police urged anyone with information to contact them on 105, quoting file number 251110/6195.

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Kevin the giraffe makes a cross-country trip

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kevin in the trailer ready to head off to Hamilton Zoo. Supplied

A curious and loving giraffe named Kevin is on a cross country road trip, travelling from Christchurch’s Orana Park to his new home at Hamilton Zoo.

He is just over two-years-old and is 4.3 metres tall and has been on the road since Tuesday, even boarding the Bluebridge Ferry last night.

The drive is no easy feat, with staff having to meticulously plan the route, avoiding low tunnels and windy roads.

Orana Wildlife Park spokesperson Nathan Hawke told Morning Report Kevin is joining a “bachelor herd” in Hamilton with 22-year-old Masamba and two-year-old Jabali.

“Kevin’s loving life but our crew are a little bit tired. He’s been an absolute trooper,” Hawke said.

Moving a giraffe is a “massive logistical exercise”, Hawke said, which involves a lot of staff including animal care and vets.

Zoo staff had to meticulously plan the route, avoiding low tunnels and windy roads, and were also reliant on good weather and calm seas to travel.

Kevin is in a specialised trailer for him that he can see out the top of.

“He’s enjoyed the scenic journey across New Zealand,” Hawke said.

Orana Park keepers will be staying with Kevin over the next few days to help him settle into his new home.

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Analysis: Andrew Coster’s fall from champion of progressive policing

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo. Former police commissioner Andrew Coster RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Analysis – Once a liberal darling and champion of progressive policing, former police commissioner Andrew Coster has gone to ground, his reputation and legacy in tatters.

Coster is on leave from his role as chief executive of the government’s Social Investment Agency after a damning Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report identified “serious misconduct” among the upper echelons of police.

An employment process is now underway with the Public Service Commission.

Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday evening, Attorney General Judith Collins said the IPCA report identified a massive failure of leadership: “If this was me being named in this report, I would be ashamed of myself.”

Judith Collins speaking at Parliament on Tuesday. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Coster should “be held to account”, and the minister who appointed Coster to his current position, Nicola Willis, said she was “shocked and appalled” by the IPCA’s findings.

Coster has declined to speak to media. A spokesperson provided a brief statement to RNZ: “this is now an employment conversation”.

Coster’s fall …

The IPCA report paints a picture of a group of police executives seemingly blinded by loyalty to one of their own.

Coster and others dismissed repeated complaints from a young woman about former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming over many years, going back as far as 2018, but particularly in 2023 and early 2024.

Jevon McSkimming RNZ / Mark Papalii

Neither Coster, nor McSkimming, disclosed the allegations to the Public Service Commission when McSkimming was going through the appointment process for that deputy role in early 2023.

An investigation into the woman’s claims was finally launched in mid-2024, but only after police had already charged the woman with causing harm through the deluge of emails she had sent to McSkimming’s work email.

But the IPCA report said that investigation was not properly conducted and that it was was only notified of the allegations in October 2024.

That same month, Coster wrote to the IPCA to raise concern that its inquiries could “increase Jevon’s victimisation” and harm his chances during the appointment process for the top commissioner job.

Soon after, Coster convened a meeting with key players within police to ensure “natural justice” for McSkimming and to bring the investigation to “a rapid and premature conclusion”.

One staffer told the IPCA: “it was quite clear that [Coster] was very invested in Jevon becoming the next Commissioner.”

The IPCA report said senior decision-makers held “an entrenched view” that McSkimming was a victim rather than offender and were “unduly preoccupied” with protecting his future career prospects.

…after his rise

Coster was appointed as police commissioner in early March 2020, the youngest in the service’s history at age 44.

At the time, then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern commended Coster’s “positivity, inclusion and integrity”.

That word – “integrity” – comes up repeatedly in politicians’ descriptions of Coster.

He had not been considered a frontrunner for the top job, but boasted an impressive resume with considerable leadership experience within the police, as well as in law and with the Ministry of Justice.

Coster quickly got offside with the National Party – then in opposition – clashing with leader Simon Bridges and police spokesperson Mark Mitchell.

Bridges publicly declared Coster to be a “wokester” and suggested he was soft on gangs. Mitchell was openly critical of Coster’s advocacy for a “policing by consent” model.

But after National’s success in the 2023 election, new-prime minister Christopher Luxon took a different position, telling RNZ: “I’m not Simon Bridges, if you haven’t noticed.”

Coster continued with his five-year term as police commissioner, but finished up about six months early to take up a new role as Secretary for Social Investment.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell speaking at Parliament on Tuesday. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

It was seen as a win-win, with Mitchell keen to appoint a replacement more in line with his tough-on-crime rhetoric. In a social media, Mitchell said Coster had “served with integrity” and would be outstanding in the new role.

Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis said she was delighted by the appointment, having seen his “passion” for improving the lives of New Zealanders.

Luxon told reporters Coster had done an “exceptionally good job” as commissioner: “He has delivered big time for us.”

Then-Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott said Coster was a “proven leader with a pragmatic, realistic and delivery-focused approach to achieving change”.

“He is a highly respected and impressive public service leader who has considerable experience delivering initiatives to address complex social issues.”

Labour was also in favour of the appointment, with Carmel Sepuloni also noting his “integrity” and work ethic.

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