Category: Public Media

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cook Strait ferry sailings are delayed today as rough seas and strong southerlies continue in the Cook Strait.

MetService Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said cold conditions in the Wellington region are a clear signal of the seasonal shift into Meteorological Autumn.

Strong cold south easterly winds, rain and hail were making for a chilly start to the week for Wellington and parts of the lower North Island today.

Winter is on its way

Ferris said the weather is a clear indication winter was not too far away.

“The cold air that has been moving up from the south just a few days ago, was actually down around Antarctica. It’s sped up across the Southern Ocean, didn’t warm up too much and it has been zooming through Wellington through yesterday and today. So, we are getting that chilly, chilly southerly air hanging round, some heavy rain in the mix and even some hail overnight,” Ferris said.

He said the change coming at the turn of the season was well timed to hammer home the feeling of a cold conclusion to summer.

“If this weather had happened in a few months time, we would’ve seen some very, very cold overnight temperatures. In this case, we have just seen a few temperatures getting below zero degrees [and] seeing some frost around the South Island. but it could’ve been a lot colder had it happened a few months later,” Ferris said.

Ferris said the majority of the country would see below-average temperatures throughout the day and on Wednesday morning.

“Some places will actually be a bit warmer tomorrow morning. We are looking at parts of Central Otago and Southland beginning to warm up, which does spell out the trend for the rest of the working week. Heading to Thursday [and] Friday we’ll actually see temperatures rebound to above average.

“We are seeing those swinging temperatures. It is one of those shoulder seasons, so it is the kind of thing we will see for a few more weeks, if not months,” Ferris said.

He said this week’s cold temperatures would ease as the weekend approached.

“We are seeing those showers ease up a little bit – we shouldn’t be seeing too much in the way of risk of hail today. As we move into Wednesday, it is still easing, still southerly showers along those eastern coasts of the North Island, but we will be noticing a little bit more clearer skies moving into Thursday,” Ferris said.

Ferries delayed as large swells batter Cook Strait

Tuesday morning’s Interislander sailings aboard the Kaitaki, from Wellington, and Kairahi, from Picton, will now depart each port at about 11.30am.

Three metre swells and winds of up to 74 km/h were forecast for the Cook Strait today.

Bluebridge said the conditions were leading to longer crossing times. It said the morning and early afternoon sailings from both Picton and Wellington could be delayed by up to five hours on Tuesday.

Passengers are advised to check for updated departure times on the ferry provider’s sites.

Wellington Harbour’s East By West ferry – between Queens Wharf and Days Bay – was also running a restricted timetable due to the conditions.

Ferry sailings were also delayed or cancelled on Monday.

Jetstar flight diverted to Christchurch

In the air, a Jetstar flight from Auckland to Wellington this morning was diverted to Christchurch due to high winds.

One passenger told RNZ as they approached the Capital, the pilot announced it was a “pretty typical wet and windy Wellington day”.

“We were coming into land and then suddenly thrust of the engine as the plane went back up and we went around to try again. Second time [we] didn’t get that close due to wind sheer,” the passenger said.

They said the flight would refuel and re-attempt the trip if conditions allowed.

Ferris said cold and at times heavy rain was likely to be contributing to a few bumpy flights.

“It’s no surprise that planes have had a bit of a tricky time coming in this morning. With these heavy showers, you typically have strong updrafts and strong downdrafts. So, on approach from the north, they happened to be close to or passing through one of those showers, it would have been a bumpy time.

“An aborted landing isn’t too surprising in these situations,” Ferris said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Explainer – The world is an increasingly dangerous place. What do you do if you’re caught up in a conflict like the one raging in Iran and the Middle East?

The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leading to retaliatory strikes on multiple countries in the region.

Large sections of airspace over the Middle East have been closed, and while some flights have resumed, hundreds of thousands of travellers still face delays.

Meanwhile, New Zealand citizens caught in the conflict zone may be desperately trying to get out and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned them to shelter in place.

What if you’re travelling, about to travel or stuck in a country where conflict has broken out? Here’s what you need to know.

What can the government do?

MFAT works to assist New Zealanders overseas who might get into trouble, ranging from illness to evacuation from natural disasters to helping crime victims.

Its SafeTravel website allows the government to reach out directly to Kiwis they know are in danger zones.

“All New Zealanders living or travelling overseas should register with SafeTravel, whatever their destination, as that means we can send you updates about the places you’re in or communicate with you if an emergency happens,” an MFAT spokesperson said.

“You can register at any time, but it’s best to register before you travel.”

Why is registering with SafeTravel important?

It’s the government’s primary way to contact travellers in danger zones.

As of Monday, there were currently more than 1800 New Zealanders registered in the Middle East with SafeTravel, with the bulk of those – 1091 – being in the United Arab Emirates.

There are 26 registered in Iran, and 71 in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

However, there are likely to be many more who aren’t registered, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Monday.

“In reality, the number of New Zealanders in the region is likely to be much higher. We therefore urge people to register on SafeTravel as soon as possible so that we can communicate with them directly.”

MFAT told RNZ that as the weekend conflict erupted, SafeTravel messages were sent to New Zealanders in 10 Middle East countries – Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE.

It’s possible the government can arrange repatriation flights to get New Zealanders out of war-torn regions, as it did last year when the Defence Force sent a plane to assist those stranded in Iran and Israel during earlier conflicts.

Stephen Hoadley, a former Auckland University professor of political science, told RNZ in an interview last year that registering travel in advance can make it easier for families to know what’s happening with their loved ones.

“About half of New Zealanders never bother to register in a foreign country and of course they’re vulnerable, more at risk because MFAT cannot contact them, their families cannot contact them often and then the families will ring up the Minister of Foreign Affairs desperate to contact their son, daughter, brother, sister in a war zone and this puts a lot of pressure on the minister, the ministry, the bureaucrats and others.”

The Middle East is far from the only hot zone in an increased time of global conflicts. Just last week, MFAT issued a warning to “exercise increased caution” to New Zealanders in Mexico after the death of a local drug lord led to violence throughout the country.

What can I do if my flights are affected?

Doha and Dubai, which have been closed during the crisis, are some of New Zealand’s biggest transit destinations for travel to Europe and elsewhere. Dubai is the busiest airport in the world.

“I would say that there are thousands (of New Zealanders affected),” Travel Agents Association chief executive Julie White told Morning Report this week.

Auckland Airport told RNZ travellers should check with their airline.

“Airlines will be working to rebook affected travellers. We encourage anyone due to travel through the Middle East in the coming days to check directly with their airline or travel agent for the latest updates. Other international flights are operating as scheduled.”

“If your journey has been impacted, we recommend you reach out to the airline scheduled to operate your flight, who will be able to discuss your rebooking options,” Air New Zealand also said in a statement.

Air NZ said it is allowing people to make changes to dates of travel or reroute, and no penalty fee, service fees or fare difference will apply if changed by Sunday, 8 March.

White said the disruption from the airspace closures will have ripple effects.

“It doesn’t just impact the Middle East, it will have onward effects with other regions. Travellers should expect delays in other areas.”

What if you get caught up in a war zone right now?

Hundreds have been killed in Iran, Lebanon and elsewhere as the US/Israel-led military action continues.

“Our advice to them is to follow the advice of local authorities, including shelter in place recommendations,” Luxon said.

MFAT warns people in places of conflict to “do everything you can to stay safe”.

If you have to venture outside, stay alert, avoid large crowds or protests, and if you see large groups of police or armed forces, leave the area.

“Try not to stand out or draw attention to yourself” and avoid taking photos of local authorities or demonstrations, it warns.

Be ready to shelter in place and gather supplies, but also have a “go bag” ready in case you need to evacuate immediately.

Be aware of what’s going on in the countries you are visiting

SafeTravel’s website has a list of countries around the world and what their current advice level is.

Twenty-seven countries are currently on SafeTravel’s highest alert status of “Do not travel”, including much of the Middle East, but also countries such as Russia, Haiti, Venezuela, and several African nations.

Eight countries were added to that designation this week, Luxon said.

“New Zealanders in these areas should know that consular assistance may be limited or not available,” MFAT warns.

“That means the New Zealand government may not be able to help you if you are detained, injured, or otherwise prevented from leaving these areas.”

The government has long told New Zealanders in Iran to leave, a message Foreign Minister Winston Peters reiterated on Sunday.

“It will be very difficult in the risky cities. But if you’re out in the countryside and can get away, give it a go. Otherwise, try and stay safe, stay inside, and we’ll see how things develop. But it’s very, very difficult for us, this far away from personal circumstances, to tell people what to do,” he said.

“Mind you, we’ve been telling them for weeks to get ready, just in case this happened. Maybe next time, listen to the government of New Zealand, who does care what their future might be.”

A repatriation flight was possible, “if it comes to that,” but it was too risky at the moment.

Getting a New Zealander out of a war zone could cost as much as $1 million if they’re injured, the Detail reported last year.

Will travel insurance protect me?

Unfortunately, travel insurance policies typically do not cover travel affected by war.

“Travel insurance can help with many unforeseen situations, but it doesn’t respond to every type of global disruption,” a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of New Zealand told RNZ.

“Where travel disruption, such as airline cancellations, delays or rerouting, is linked directly or indirectly to war or armed conflict, policy exclusions are likely to apply. This can be the case even if travellers are not heading to the conflict zone itself but are affected while travelling through the region.

“Some insurers may also limit or decline cover for destinations affected by active conflict, reflecting the increased and unpredictable risks involved. Ultimately, decisions about cover depend on individual policy wordings.”

Every insurer and policy can be different, so travellers are urged to contact their insurer directly.

However, it’s still recommended to always get travel insurance, the ICNZ spokesperson said.

“We would encourage anyone travelling overseas to consider taking out travel insurance, as it can provide valuable cover for a range of unexpected events such as medical emergencies, lost luggage, or some types of cancellations and delays.”

“We strongly advise New Zealanders to get comprehensive travel insurance before heading away,” MFAT also said.

It said medical emergency costs can “range from NZ$3000 to $30,000 or higher depending on where you are and what you want to happen”.

What if I’ve got travel planned in the near future?

If you’ve got travel booked in the coming months that you’re concerned about, your first port of call is either with your travel agent or with the airlines and accommodations you may have booked yourself.

If you cancel your plans yourself, you may find you’ll have to pay cancellation fees or other fees, so it’s best to check the details with the airline.

“It’s a case of, I hate to say it, wait and see,” White said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming breached police’s code of conduct by staying in hotels at police expense and inviting a woman he was having an affair with to join him up to 10 times, the police watchdog says.

The revelation comes following the release of another report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).

In November last year, the IPCA released a damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by McSkimming. The allegations arose from an affair between McSkimming and a woman who was a non-sworn police employee at the time.

The report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police including former

Commissioner Andrew Coster who resigned from his role at the Social Investment Agency.

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

The IPCA said at the time its investigation had three components. The November report related to the first component.

They were also investigating whether the subsequent Police investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct since October 2024 had been robust and appropriate; and the final part was whether the Police investigation into the possession of objectionable images by McSkimming had been adequate.

On Tuesday, the IPCA released a summary of a second report into McSkimming.

The summary said the IPCA oversaw two criminal investigations into McSkimming.

The first investigation arose from the report in November last year in relation to allegations of sexual offending.

“In that report, we set out in detail our concerns with the initial stages of that investigation before it was referred to us.

“However, from November 2024 the investigation proceeded in accordance with Police adult sexual assault policy, with our close oversight.”

In September 2025 Police provided the IPCA with the final investigation report, as well as an external legal opinion and a legal peer review.

“That report found that the evidential test under the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines had not been met.

“We are satisfied that from November 2024 Police conducted an appropriate investigation and reached a view on prosecution that was reasonable.”

The IPCA also oversaw the investigation into objectionable material.

“We have no concerns with the way Police conducted that investigation.”

The IPCA also investigated McSkimming’s decision to invite the complainant, Ms Z, to stay with him in hotel accommodation paid for by Police, on numerous occasions, primarily in 2016.

“Our investigation has been impaired by a lack of records of travel expenditure and credit card statements from the time, due to the nine to ten years that has elapsed since the spending occurred.”

The IPCA had not been able to review his credit card expenditure, and relied on the evidence of the complainant, McSkimming, his former executive assistant and one of his supervisors at the time.

“In 2016 and 2017 Mr McSkimming’s workplace was at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. He lived about 60-70 kms away.”

McSkimming and his executive assistant at the time told the IPCA that he was regularly required to attend functions or late meetings in Wellington or catch early morning flights.

“On those occasions, his executive assistant would book accommodation at a Wellington hotel, paid for by Police. The rationale for these bookings was explained to us as being to avoid a long drive home after a work event, or where he was required to attend a social function to ensure he was not having a drink and then driving.”

The IPCA said the Police travel policy at the time was “vague and unhelpful in providing guidance on the extent to which the examples Mr McSkimming gave were acceptable”.

“Beyond restatement of the principles applying to ‘sensitive expenditure’ as promulgated by the Office of the Auditor General, it did not provide any guidance on the use of hotel accommodation in circumstances such as Mr McSkimming’s, where the accommodation was in the same locality as the usual workplace.”

There was now an updated sensitive expenditure policy, which sets out the principles to be applied when spending taxpayers’ money.

Police travel policy at the time, and still, requires “the travel approving senior manager need only be informed where a partner, family member or friend accompanies a Police employee on travel at their own expense where they have made their own travel arrangement but intend to share travel facilities (eg accommodation…) that will be paid for by Police”.

McSkimming told the IPCA he thought Ms Z stayed with him eight to 10 times.

“This is corroborated by Ms Z. Mr McSkimming breached policy by not informing his senior manager approving the travel that she would be staying with him. If he had done so, we consider it highly likely that approval would have been declined.

“In any case, whether or not he informed his manager, he breached the Police Code of Conduct by staying in hotels at Police expense and inviting the woman with whom he was having a sexual relationship to join him. If he had paid for the hotels himself, that would have been a different matter. However, the fact that the hotels were paid for by Police gives rise to the perception that he was using taxpayer money to further a clandestine affair, thus bringing Police into disrepute.”

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he welcomed the IPCA’s conclusions that the investigation into allegations of sexual offending was conducted with appropriate oversight and in accordance with Police protocols for adult sexual assault investigations post November 2024.

“The IPCA was also satisfied the decision not to lay charges was reasonable.

“The IPCA was also satisfied with the investigation which resulted in Mr McSkimming being charged and pleading guilty to offences of possessing objectionable material.”

He thanked the staff who conducted those investigations for their “thorough work in what were sometimes challenging circumstances”.

“I was very concerned to learn of Mr McSkimming’s use of hotels in Wellington and agree with the findings of the IPCA.

“This showed a disregard for taxpayers’ money and Police expenditure policy.

“I intend to write to Mr McSkimming seeking reimbursement of the costs of these hotel stays.”

Chambers said as the IPCA report states, the Police policy for sensitive expenditure requires spending to be reasonable and able to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny.

“It is my view that unless there are exceptional work-related circumstances, staff should not require hotel accommodation in the same centre as their normal place of work.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

An arsonist given a second chance when he appealed against deportation went on to set another fire at the hostel he was staying in, a tribunal has heard.

British chef John Dodsworth was convicted of endangering life by wilfully setting fire to a couch at a boarding hostel less than a year after he was granted residence.

He will now be deported following his two-year, nine-month jail sentence, with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal agreeing he risked causing a ‘potential catastrophe’ if he remained.

It previously decided to let him stay, so he could have contact with his daughter and to get help for alcoholism and mental health issues.

The 49-year-old’s deportation at that stage was suspended for three years if he committed no further offences or parole breaches.

The former UK teacher started to re-offend seven months later, making fake calls and shoplifting, before committing another arson.

“The boarding house at which the respondent was residing (and where he lit the fire) had eight residents,” the tribunal heard. “The fire was lit by him on or about 2 March 2024, and he handed himself in to a police station the following day.”

His lawyer said he would face a ”very grim and dark future’ if he was deported, which would cut him off from meaningful contact with his daughter.

“The respondent does not believe that he is a criminal but, rather, that mental health issues get on top of him and he does things without thinking,” the tribunal recorded in its decision. “When so overwhelmed, he is not in a frame of mind to consider consequences. He greatly regrets putting the other residents at the boarding house in danger, and knows how important it is for his mental health issues to be managed.”

A psychologist reported Dodsworth posed a low risk for re-offending, but not if there were an acute mental health deterioration.

“When distressed, the respondent is likely to behave in a manner that seeks help and attention, but which puts himself and potentially others at serious risk. This underlies his fire-setting. Without appropriate monitoring and support, such behaviours could reasonably be expected to reoccur.”

The tribunal said, despite concerns over his suicide risk and his staying in touch with his daughter, the danger of further fires was too great to give him a third chance.

“The tribunal places significant weight on the degree of risk of serious harm to innocent members of the public because of the nature of the respondent’s repeated offending. He has acknowledged setting a fire in a public building (in other words, a building to which other members of the public have access) in the United Kingdom in the past, though he was not punished, making his most recent offending the third occasion on which he has committed arson in public premises.

“Put bluntly, a fire in a public building, particularly one in which people are living and sleeping, has a strong potential for terrible loss of life.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cook Strait ferry sailings are delayed today as rough seas and strong southerlies continue in the Cook Strait today.

MetService was forecasting three-metre swells and winds of up to 74 km/h in the Strait, but the conditions were expected to ease later in the day.

Tuesday morning’s Interislander sailings aboard the Kaitaki, from Wellington, and Kairahi, from Picton, will now depart each port at about 11.30am.

Bluebridge said the conditions were leading to longer crossing times. It said the morning and early afternoon sailings from both Picton and Wellington could be delayed by up to five hours on Tuesday.

Passengers are advised to check for updated departure times on the ferry provider’s sites.

Wellington Harbour’s East By West ferry – between Queens Wharf and Days Bay – was also running a restricted timetable due to the conditions.

Ferry sailings were also delayed or cancelled on Monday.

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