Category: Public Media

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lake Taupō’s harbourmaster has issued a warning to a teenager in charge of a boat that caught fire just before Christmas.

The 14-year-old leapt in the water off Kinloch and multiple boats and a helicopter spent about an hour rescuing him.

Police at the time said that without a lifejacket he was “lucky to survive”.

They also said it was “incredibly frustrating” given the bylaw restrictions on people under 15 driving boats.

The harbourmaster said they talked to the owner of the boat about the age limit and asked for an incident report.

“After consideration, the harbourmaster did not issue an infringement to the operator of the vessel (14-year-old). The harbourmaster took an educational approach and gave a warning.”

The rescue was marked by police first cancelling a chopper that was good to go, then almost half an hour later – after volunteer firefighters had motored out to look at the burning boat – calling it in to find the boy who had floated at least a kilometre away.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Four people have been injured in a serious crash near Twizel in South Canterbury.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of State Highway 8 and Lake Ohau Road at around 1:45pm on Monday.

Police say two people have serious injuries and two others have minor injuries.

People are being urged to avoid the area.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says the government is unqualified to lead the city’s economic recovery and should leave it to local council.

The comments came as Brown again renewed calls for a bed levy tax, despite the government’s opposition to the move.

A suite of events were set to be held in Auckland throughout the year, as major infrastructure projects neared completion.

The long-delayed International Convention Centre was finally due to open on Wednesday.

Construction of the Convention Centre began back in 2015 and was initially supposed to take 38 months, but had been plagued by a budget blow-out and legal wrangling.

“We’ve been waiting for such a long time. [Convention centres] are hard to make money out of.

“I understand it’s booked up pretty well, so it will bring in conventions and it will be part of the tourist offering. But that whole tourist thing is a bit of a question for us.”

The New Zealand leg of SailGP also returned to the waters of Waitematā Harbour this weekend.

Brown told Morning Report both events were a positive for the supercity.

“Those are two good things on this week, that’s for sure,” he said.

“It’s a big year really when you think about it.

“The Polo finals and the Blues and Chiefs are playing shortly. There’s a lot of sport,” he said.

Another long overdue milestone, the City Rail Link was also due to be completed later this year.

The Ocean Race, formerly known as the Round the World Race, was scheduled to return to the City of Sails in 2027.

Brown wasted no time pointing to the small matter of the Election, another major event pertinent to Auckland residents, he said.

“If you don’t win Auckland, you don’t get to be the government.”

Brown had long campaigned for a bed tax on visitors to help fund destination marketing and events.

He again expressed his desire for the scheme.

“The government can’t bring itself to do that yet, so that they’re raiding tourists at the border. And then central government will tell us how we spend on things, which is something we don’t like.

“All these big events want some money up front. And if we have the bed night levy we will have the money up front.”

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, said a bed tax was not something she was pursuing this term.

“Our government has already announced a number of initiatives to boost tourism and events across New Zealand and in Auckland, including our $70 million major events and tourism package and a regional tourism boost announcement which invests in campaigns to market New Zealand (and Auckland) to overseas visitors.”

Upston said the government was firmly focused on growing the economy, including the Auckland economy, and tourism and major events remained integral to that.

“I recognise there’s been an interest in bed tax and am also aware of Wayne Brown’s recent comments.”

In response to Auckland’s lagging economy and high unemployment rate, the mayor said “it had its own ideas”.

Council-led initiatives such as the Auckland Innovation & Technology Alliance showed the council was better suited than the government in driving investment into the city, Brown said.

“Economic development; we’ve decided that council will lead this, because the government doesn’t quite know how to do that.”

When asked if he felt the government had dropped the ball, he replied “they hadn’t didn’t pick it up”.

“They’re not quite sure where it is/ There’s a lot we can do ourselves as well. Instead of them initiating things, we just want them to help with what we’re going to initiate.

“There’s too much centralised decision making in this country.”

Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown said the government was focused on rebuilding the economy and Auckland was central to that.

“That’s why we’re fast-tracking major infrastructure like the $200 million Port of Auckland extension and incentivising business investment through Investment Boost and our Going for Growth agenda.

“The opening of the International Convention Centre and the City Rail Link later this year will further lift jobs and economic activity.”

Simeon Brown said business confidence in Auckland was at its highest in over a decade.

“GDP is up 12.1 per cent on 2019, labour force participation is 72.8 per cent, and CBD office vacancies have fallen for the first time since 2022 – a clear sign businesses are backing the city again.

The Mayor and Auckland Council would be wise to focus on keeping costs down for Aucklanders.”

Supporting a rates cap last week would have been a good first step, Simeon Brown added.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

People will be discouraged from doing the right thing if a Christchurch couple who found more than $200,000 in the ceiling of their house do not get to keep any of the money, a court has heard.

The couple, whose names are suppressed, found the mystery money sealed in plastic bricks tucked in insulation at their property in 2021.

They reported the cash to the police who said the money should be forfeited because it was the proceeds of crime, probably from drug dealing.

At a High Court hearing on Monday, the couple’s lawyer Mike Lennard said they should keep the money because they had no part in any criminal activity and withholding the cash would discourage other people reporting similar finds to police.

“It will send a message to people in my client’s position, don’t cooperate with the police, don’t tell the police, just spend it. Just pay cash for your groceries for the next few years,” he said.

Lennard told the court homeowners get the “good and the bad” when they buy a house.

He said the Proceeds of Crime Act had a number of aims, including deterring criminal activity, but his clients had not broken the law.

Police lawyer Klaudia Courteney said the money was tainted by criminal activity and should therefore be forfeited to the Crown.

She said the case differed to occasions when someone found a wallet in the street, handed it in and later received the money if it remained unclaimed.

Courteney said the couple were immediately concerned the cash was a result of criminal activity and reported it to the police because of safety concerns.

“They weren’t just being good citizens. They were very concerned that it involved criminal activity and they were worried about who might turn up,” she said.

Courteney said police searched the property and installed security alarms because of the safety concerns and changed access to the attic so it was no longer accessible from the outside.

She said it was clear the couple thought the money was from criminal activity and therefore tainted.

Justice Osborne observed in a number of other countries when people had found drug money a percentage of the cash could be returned to them.

If the couple had not handed the money in then the police would have nothing, he said.

“It seems to me odd for the commissioner (of police) to take the position of an absolute no, there is no opportunity for relief, when there is a real public good here,” he said.

Justice Osborne reserved his decision.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Media Council has found that four complaints against RNZ did not have sufficient grounds to proceed.

In the first, the chief executive of United Flower Growers, Pete Brown, complained about the article Auckland florists say industry ‘in shambles’, plagued by resentment, published on September 15, 2025. The story reported florists facing difficulties relating to the state of the economy and a raft of changes made by their key supplier, United Flower Growers.

The article was based on comment from five florists, and included responses from Brown on behalf of UFG.

The Council noted that a feature of this complaint was Brown’s concern about RNZ’s decision to grant anonymity to the florists. He challenged that on the basis that two florists spoken to by RNZ had told him they were prepared to be named. This was disputed by RNZ.

The Council said it was in no position to consider this issue as it had no information to establish with any certainty what the florists and reporter agreed to. “Besides, the granting of anonymity in these circumstances is a matter of editorial discretion. That is appropriate and not a matter for second guessing by the Media Council.”

Beyond that the Council was not convinced there was sufficient foundation for complaint about this article. The complainant cited Principles (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance but there was no evidence that the article was inaccurate. As for fairness and balance, Brown was given the opportunity to respond and key points made by him were reported, albeit at the tail of the article.

“This sort of investigative reporting is supported by the Council,” the judgment said.

***

In the second case, Martin Broadbent complained about a series of articles published between November 17 to November 22, 2025, on the problems caused by feral cats and the decision to allow them to be targeted as predators.

Broadbent complained that RNZ’s reporting on feral cats and Predator Free 2050 blurred the legal distinction between feral and stray cats, thereby misleading the public and undermining animal welfare protections under the law.

RNZ firmly rejected the suggestion that it was blurring the categories. The term feral was widely used and was included in Predator Free 2050’s list of species. It argued the first story in the series clearly explained the difference between companion, feral and stray cats.

The Council agreed the first article spelt out precisely how feral and stray cats were defined and two other stories in the series also defined the word feral to make it clear they are not referring to strays. On that basis it saw nothing to support a claim that this was of “an orchestrated blurring of categories that misleads the public into believing all unowned cats are “feral” and subject to lethal control.”

The Council ruled there was nothing to show the reporting breached Principle (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance.

***

In the third case, RNZ published an article on November 23, 2025, titled Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 people in Gaza, local medics say. This was a Reuters news agency report and was based on information provided by medics and witnesses to the airstrikes. It also included comment from the Israeli military and Hamas, who accused each other of violating a truce which was agreed to six weeks earlier.

Eric Mattlin complained that the story breached Media Council Principles (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance; (4) Comment and Fact; and (7) Discrimination and Diversity. He argued: “The article demonstrates a pattern of asymmetrical attribution with uncritical adoption of Israeli military claims, and a lack of context that affected how readers understood the events being reported. This article concerns an ongoing and highly controversial international conflict involving profound power asymmetries. While balance does not require false equivalence, it does require that significant perspectives and relevant context be included.”

In response, RNZ rejected the complaint and sent Mr Mattlin its language guide to the Middle East Conflict, which explained why it used such terms as ‘militant’ and ‘hostage-prisoner’. It added that RNZ had broadcast and published hundreds of pieces over the past two years, providing a wide range of views and the historical context behind the conflict.

The Council noted that RNZ and all other major New Zealand news outlets rely on international news agencies for most of their world news. Agencies like Reuters report for a wide and diverse international audience which requires coverage to be even handed.

The Council considered this story to be a fairly typical news report from Gaza. In accordance with standard journalistic practice it identified where information was obtained, and comment about the alleged ceasefire breaches was attributed to the Israeli military and Hamas. It also provided brief background on how the Gaza war started two years earlier.

Dealing with the complaint about terminology, the Council refered back to its decision on Mr Mattlin’s earlier complaint (No.3725) which stated: “The Council notes RNZ and other New Zealand media outlets are reliant on overseas news agencies for their coverage of the conflict, and it would be risky or possibly even a breach of RNZ’s agreement with those agencies to change the terminology used.”

The Council noted the story cited in this latest complaint was one of many that have been published on the Gaza War. “This is a long and complex story which has been reported extensively, and it is impractical to expect every report to cover all the context and background. It is clear that balance has been provided over time.”

The Council saw no evidence of bias or that the coverage and terminology was unfair or asymmetrical.

***

In the fourth case, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) published an article on December 22, 2025, Winston Peters makes u-turn on Chorus debt sell-off. The story was about the NZ First leader Winston Peters reversing his previous opposition to the Chorus debt sell-off, which in turn would clear the way for the Government to proceed with a plan to sell about $650m in interest-free loans that Chorus owes the government.

Hector O’Brien complained that the comment – “The Government does not have an (equity) stake in Chorus” – was factually incorrect as the Government-owned holding company National Infrastructure Funding and Finance Ltd had around 61.6 percent of shares in Chorus.

RNZ said the article was correct. The Government did not have an equity stake in this privately owned company. However, it was owed debt by Chorus, more specifically Ultra-Fast Broadband securities. It said the word “stake” had been used in a previous report, but this was updated in this story to make it clear that the Government had no equity or ownership in Chorus.

The Council noted that the line was taken directly from the December 17 press statement in which Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said: “It is important to note the government does not have an equity stake in Chorus and the securities involved are not ordinary shares.”

It further noted that NIFFCO is not listed as a major Chorus shareholder. Rather, it is shown through official documents and ministerial statements that the company was used to provide Government loan finance to Chorus.

In the circumstances no inaccuracy was shown, nor any unfairness.

All judgments can be found here: Media Council – Search

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man who was sexually abused by a priest says he’s “appalled” police were not notified the priest had admitted abuse to leaders of his religious order nearly 20 years ago.

He said he expected authorities to be told of all other members of the order who admitted child sex offences.

RNZ earlier revealed Fr Rowan Donoghue had admitted six charges including indecent assault on a boy aged 12-16, indecent assault on a boy 16 and over and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The offending related to four boys who were boarding at St Bede’s College in Christchurch between 1996 and 2000.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

In response to questions by RNZ, a Society of Mary spokesperson said a complaint alleging offending by Donoghue was received by the priest via an anonymous Hotmail account in October 2007.

“He advised Society of Mary administration and in a conversation with leaders of the Society of Mary, Donoghue admitted that he was guilty of abuse but could not identify the complainant.

“He was removed from his ministry as a priest immediately. This permanent removal from ministry and subsequent ongoing monitoring has continued to the present day.”

The spokesperson said the society reached out to the anonymous emailer “encouraging him to identify himself” and make a complaint to the police so the matter might be properly investigated, and so that he might receive appropriate support.

“Those attempts to connect with and support the victim, made over many months, were unsuccessful and so no complaint could be made by the Society to the police.

“Donoghue was sent for a six-month programme to Encompass, an institute in Australia that provided professional risk assessment and therapy for those accused of sexual abuse.”

One of the men who was sexually abused by Donoghue at St Bede’s College said he was shocked by the revelations.

“I’m appalled to hear an admission from the church/Society of Mary, that they not only knew about Rowan’s offending, but also had a direct admission of guilt from him too.

“And instead of notifying authorities, chose to send him for ‘re-education’. It shows, as an organisation they are wholly complicit when it comes to their members having offended against children.”

The man said he expected authorities “to be told of all other members who admitted child sex offences”.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons earlier said police were unable to comment on processes of other organisations and their decision making and whether they decide to call the police but that police encouraged people to do so if they have information they believe could be relevant to any investigation or suspected offending.

St Bede’s College rector Jon McDowall earlier said the details outlined through the court process were “deeply disturbing”.

“As rector, it makes me feel sick to think that young people entrusted to an adult’s care were abused in this way. I am deeply sorry that this happened to them, and my thoughts are with the victims and survivors who continue to live with the impact of that harm.”

McDowall said the school had worked openly with police throughout the process.

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities should any further information come to light.

“Abuse has no place at St Bede’s – past, present, or future. The college has an established policy in place to respond and support victims of historical abuse, alongside safeguarding policies and practices to protect the wellbeing and safety of students today. Our focus remains on providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community.”

McDowall extended an open invitation for victims in the case, and others who may have been impacted, or anyone with concerns to contact him directly.

In early 2023, police were contacted about the allegations of sexual abuse by Donoghue in relation to his time at St Bede’s College.

St Patrick’s Silverstream rector Rob Ferreira said the school had not been made aware of any allegations of abuse in care while Donoghue worked at the school between 1982 to 1992.

“We have not had any inquiries from the police either.

“We operate according to clearly set out guidelines and best practice and you should note that our primary concern is the wellbeing of our students. Given that – our protection of the privacy and any other rights of survivors of abuse and other individuals would be paramount.”

He said the school had informed the community that Donoghue’s name suppression had lifted.

St Patrick’s College Wellington rector Mike Savali confirmed Donoghue was on the college staff from 2003 to 2007.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man who received a bone graft did not realise until four months later it had come from a deceased donor, a Health and Disability Commission report says.

He was upset, saying it was against his cultural and religious beliefs.

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell said his doctor failed to inform him who and where the tissue was coming from and therefore breached his right to give informed consent.

The man, who is Māori and known as Mr A in the report, had surgery on his wrist in July 2015.

Bone tissue was transplanted, but he did not find out until a post-surgery review in November that it had come from a deceased donor.

“Mr A told [the doctor] he was upset about this as it was against his cultural and religious beliefs and that he wished he had been told about this before surgery,” the report said.

The doctor could not remember the exact conversation he had with the man beforehand, but acknowledged it was clear he had not properly explained the process, the report said.

He told the commission it had been difficult to communicate with Mr A at times because of his distress, trauma and chronic pain, so standard “fulsome discussion” on the procedure did not happen.

He said he had not been aware of the man’s ethnicity.

The report said the consent form the patient signed did not say the donor tissue would come from another person and there were no records of it being explained.

Caldwell said even if there were challenges with communication, it was the doctor’s responsibility to make sure their patient had the information they needed.

If that could not be achieved, consideration should be given to not proceeding, she said.

The doctor had offered an apology.

He told the commission he had changed the way he worked to make sure he was aware of his patients’ cultural and religious beliefs and made sure he was clear with them about where donor material comes from.

Culturally safe care was fundamental, the report said.

“The use of donor material does have significant implications for people of different ethnicities, cultures and faiths and it is important to acknowledge the cultural implications the inadequate information had on Mr A as a Māori man,” Caldwell said.

“Adequate disclosure of the the allograft process, specifically that bone tissue was to be received from a deceased person would have ensured sufficient time to undertake cultural processes which would make this an acceptable procedure to undergo and that the correct tikanga and kawa were engaged.”

Caldwell would work with Health NZ as it developed a national policy on informed consent for bone grafts.

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