Category: Public Media

Posted on

Former All Black Hoskins Sotutu to leave Blues at end of Super Rugby season

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hoskins Sotutu with fans. Brett Phibbs/Photosport

Former All Blacks loose forward Hoskins Sotutu has signed with English Premiership club Newcastle Red Bulls and will depart the Blues after the 2026 Super Rugby season.

He remained fully committed to the Blues for their upcoming campaign, he said.

Since making his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in 2019, Sotutu has established himself as one of the competition’s best loose forwards, playing 79 games.

He made his All Blacks debut in 2020 and played 14 tests, but hasn’t represented New Zealand since November 2022.

Sotutu said the move presented an exciting opportunity, but his immediate focus remained on the Blues.

“This club means a lot to me. The Blues has been my home for a long time and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved,” Sotutu said.

“I’m grateful to the coaching staff, teammates and our fans for the support over the years and look forward to one more season with the boys.”

Blues general manager rugby Murray Williams said Sotutu would leave a strong mark on the club.

“He’s a world-class player and a leader within our environment,” Williams said.

“Newcastle are gaining a high-quality professional, and we’re pleased to have Hoskins fully committed to the Blues for another full season. He’ll continue to set the standard for us in 2026.”

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

Posted on

The rules if you’re working, or running a business, over the Christmas break

Source: Radio New Zealand

It’s not all long days of lazying around for those who work in sectors like retail at this time of year. 123RF

It’s the time of year when it can be easy to forget which day it is, or whether the scorched almonds you just ate should be counted as breakfast or lunch.

But for retailers around the country – and the staff working in them – keeping track of the rules is important through the holidays.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Labour Inspectorate says employers and employees should understand their legal obligations around the public holidays.

Which days do shops have to shut?

There are three-and-a-half days a year that most shops have to close by law: Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as well as until 1pm on Anzac Day.

So most retail workers should be getting Christmas Day off.

Which shops can open?

Businesses that are an “essential shop or business” or have an area exemption can open.

That includes dairies, petrol stations, restaurants and cafes, and even sometimes hairdressers if they want to open.

Some shops can open because they have an area exemption, which is generally granted in tourist destinations such as Taupō or Queenstown.

Do you have to work a public holiday?

You usually can only be required to work public holidays if it is stated in your employment agreement and the public holiday is on a day you will normally work.

If you work any of the four public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period you should be paid time-and-a-half for the hours worked and receive an alternative full day off if it was a day you normally work.

If an employee does not work on the public holiday but it is a day they would normally work, they are entitled to their normal daily pay.

If you would not normally work but volunteer to, you might only get time-and-a-half.

Could you be paid less than normal?

Alison Maelzer, a partner at law firm Hesketh Henry, said people would only be paid time-and-a-half only for the hours worked on the public holiday.

“This means that if the work hours on that day are reduced, the employee may actually receive less than they would have on a ‘normal’ work day. Note that this is proposed to be changed under the forthcoming leave reforms.

“If an employee works on a public holiday that falls on a day that would otherwise be a working day for them, the employee will receive a full, paid, alternative holiday to be taken at some other time. This applies no matter how many hours were worked on the public holiday.”

How many public holidays can you get?

This year, Christmas Day is a Thursday so the Thursday and Friday are public holidays, as well as the Thursday and Friday the following week.

When holidays are “mondayised” because they fall on a weekend, you are only entitled to public holiday pay and days in lieu on one of each public holiday – you can’t claim for the day and then the “mondayised” holiday.

What if you don’t have a normal work pattern?

The government advises that if an employee does not have a clear work pattern, or there is a lot of variation in their work times, they need to agree with their employer if a public holiday is a day they would otherwise be working, and what they would normally be paid.

Malezer said “average daily pay” could only be used if it was not possible to determine the relevant daily pay, or if it varied within the pay period of the holiday.

Can you be forced to take leave?

Employers can require staff to take annual leave during a Christmas/New Year closedown but must give at least 14 days’ written notice.

Public holidays during a closedown still need to be paid if they fall on days that would otherwise be working days.

An employer can only have one annual closedown in a 12-month period.

What if you’re leaving?

Maelzer said when an employee was leaving an organisation, the employer must nominally ‘count out’ the number of days of entitled annual holidays from the termination date – the holidays the employee is entitled to after working for 12 months.

“If a public holiday falls within this period, and it is a day that the employee would otherwise have worked, they are entitled to be paid for that public holiday.”

[ https://rnz.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&id=b4c9a30ed6 Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds], a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money

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

Posted on

Commerce Comission concerned about Bremworth takeover

Source: Radio New Zealand

The regulator feels the takeover of Bremworth Carpets by US based Mohawk Industries would not reduce competition 123RF

  • Takeover would bring Bremworth together with rival Godfrey Hirst
  • Regulator not convinced deal would not “substantially lessen” competition
  • Decision pushed out until mid-March

The Commerce Commission has competition concerns about a takeover that would bring the country’s two biggest carpet manufacturers a single owner.

The regulator said it was not convinced at this stage that a takeover of Bremworth Carpets by US-based Mohawk Industries, which owns Godfrey Hirst and Feltex, would not reduce competition.

“We are currently not satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in one or more relevant markets,” the commission said in a statement .

Among the commission’s concerns were the impact on competition by having the two leading domestic carpet makers and suppliers owned by the same company, the impact on prices, whether there was sufficient competition from other manufacturers or importers, and effect on customers.

The commission had been due to make a decision before Christmas but has now pushed that out to mid-March next year, with the prospect it might be extended further.

Bremworth’s survival

Bremworth’s board agreed in October to a takeover by Mohawk Industries, for between $70 million-$77m, through an agreed scheme of arrangement, which requires a lower level of shareholder approval.

It followed the launch of a [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/545155/bremworth-shareholders-force-out-most-of-carpet-maker-s-directors

strategic review in February], and the ousting of directors and chief executive in a boardroom coup this year.

At the time, Bremworth chairman Rob Hewett said the buyout agreement was the best outcome for shareholders after it looked at several potential buyers, and was unanimously backed by the board.

The company has struggled from declining market share as it decided to stop making synthetic carpets in 2020 and sell only wool products, a decision which it backtracked on this year. Its Napier plant was severely damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Scrub blaze near Hastings almost out, firefighters treated for heat exhaustion

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighting has resumed this morning. Facebook / Hawke’s Bay Fire and Emergency

The scrub fire near the Hawke’s Bay village of Fernhill – between the township and the Ngaruroro River bridge – is almost fully out, Fire and Emergency says.

The blaze is fully contained and 95 percent extinguished, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Overnight, crews with a pump truck and a tanker monitored the site for any potential flareups.

Fire and Emergency said one crew with a tanker is monitoring the area today, extinguishing the last few remaining hotspots.

The blaze broke out near Hastings on Tuesday, leaving one person hospitalised and multiple buildings destroyed.

Three firefighters experienced heat exhaustion while working on the fire. Two were treated at the scene, and one was transferred to Hawke’s Bay Hospital as a precaution.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is liaising with them and their families.

The fire also forced people living in and around the Farmhouse Lodge accommodation from their homes.

Fire and Emergency said it was still unclear when evacuated residents might be able to return home.

State Highway 50 at Fernhill reopened on Wednesday morning after it was closed due to the fire.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said the road is under stop-go traffic management near Omahu Road.

Motorists are being told to expect delays around the Fernhill area.

A firefighter extinguishing hotspots at the Fernhill fire on Tuesday. Supplied / FENZ

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Jason Hill told RNZ earlier today firefighting would resume this morning.

“Crews will be looking to bring the fire to a point where it’s 100 percent controlled, so that means there is no chance of it burning outside of the containment lines, whether the wind picks up or not,” he said.

“We still have multiple pockets of fire burning within the perimeter.”

A fire investigator would also begin looking into the cause of the fire, Hill said.

He said two homes, multiple sheds and some machinery had been destroyed.

When crews arrived, flames fanned by strong winds were running up the hill, threatening multiple buildings, Hill said.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by gusts of up to 90 km/h, which meant they could not call on helicopters, leaving ground crews to tackle it.

Dawson Bliss, who owns Farmhouse Lodge, said the fire was burning on his property.

A tenant alerted him to smoke billowing up the hill and when he went to investigate, it appeared an old bus was on fire on flat land near the Ngaruroro river.

“I rushed down there and got close to it and had extinguishers and so forth, but it was just too ablaze to try and get close enough,” he said.

Bliss did not know when he and his tenants would be able to return to the property.

On Tuesday he told RNZ he was feeling okay, but “later on it might be worse, when we take stock of the situation”.

Fire and Emergency said Civil Defence had helped evacuees to find a place to stay overnight.

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said it was distressing for those impacted by the fire – and it was a stark reminder of how dangerous the region’s hot, windy summers could be.

Schollum and Hill urged people to take fire bans seriously.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

‘Doesn’t give up’ – Police dog Teo recovers from fall during search and rescue

Source: Radio New Zealand

Teo was being gradually eased back from seven years of patrol work. Supplied / NZ Police / Senior Constable Alex Stammers

A police dog seriously injured after falling into scalding geothermal water is finally getting to enjoy retirement after months of recovery – just in time for Christmas.

Teo was being gradually eased back from seven years of patrol work when she fell as soft ground gave way during a search and rescue operation in Rotorua.

She suffered severe burns, primarily to her hindquarters, and it was touch-and-go whether she would make it.

Teo received three weeks of critical care from vets and nurses at Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Three months later, handler Constable Adam Johannsen said Teo’s road to recovery had been up and down.

“She’s missing fur from being shaved through her treatment, so she looks scruffy as hell, but she’s very much in the realm of being fully recovered and back to her normal self,” he said.

Constable Adam Johannsen and Teo at work tracking. Supplied / NZ Police / setting. Senior Constable Alex Stammers. 2/6 Teo at work, doing what she did best… tracking. Senior Constable Alex Stammers.

The pair graduated as an operational team in 2018. Teo won the award for best new operational dog in her first year and in 2024 they were awarded Auckland City District’s Murray Morrisey Award for operational excellence.

“She’s got a big heart and probably hasn’t been the hardest dog in terms of her apprehensions, but with her tracking she just gives that extra 10 percent,” Johannsen told the TenOne police magazine.

In one instance, following a family harm incident, Teo tracked the person for 3.5 kilometres and found him hiding on a building site in a portable loo.

“She’s had a few good catches like that. I believe it’s a result of her search-and-rescue work giving her that extra fitness and extra tracking ability.”

Police dog Teo has been recovering from a fall into scalding geothermal water. Supplied / NZ Police

Tracking and finding people in search and rescue work had likely saved lives, he said.

“She’s quite a remarkable dog and just doesn’t give up.

“She’s looked after me and saved me once or twice too.”

There had been “incredible” support during her recovery from colleagues and members of the public.

“People have been phoning stations to see how she’s doing, and someone even stopped me in the street the other day to ask if it was Teo with me.”

Teo was officially fully retired on the day of her accident.

“Every day she’s trying to jump in the back of the van to come to work with me,” Johannsen said.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Body recovered near Thames believed to be missing person

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A body has been recovered near Thames on and is believed to be a person that went missing in Coromandel waters two days ago.

Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner said at around 6.10am on Wednesday, police received reports of a body being located on the beach by a member of the public near Thames Coast Road, Kereta.

“A formal identification is yet to take place, but police believe it is the man who was reported missing on 22 December, near the Waikawau boat ramp.”

Emergency services had been searching for the man after reports of him getting into difficulties in the water and going missing.

One person had made it safely to shore and reported that a second party was still in the water.

Police expect the death to be referred to the Coroner.

Local iwi have placed also a rāhui on the area.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Where the ‘good BBQ weather’ is on Christmas – and where will be rainy

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan told RNZ for many places, Christmas will be “good barbecue weather”. 123RF / Mandic Jovan

It’s one more sleep until Christmas, and whether celebrations will be out in the sun or shifted indoors depends on where you are in the country.

Forecasters are predicting a mixed bag of weather on Christmas Day, with warm temperatures for some, and rain for others.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan told RNZ for many places, Christmas will be “good barbecue weather”.

He said Wellington through to Waikato and Hawke’s Bay will continue to see warm weather.

It has been a scorcher for Hawke’s Bay, with Hastings recording the country’s highest temperature on Tuesday, reaching a maximum of 33.4C at about 2.30pm.

While the warm temperatures are set to continue into Christmas, they aren’t expected to be as high as Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We are looking at temperatures in the high 20s, not the 30s,” Corrigan said.

He said a heat alert has been issued for people in Napier and Hastings.

“For people that are more vulnerable, its a heads up to keep hydrated and stay in the shade.”

While Wellington will be warm on Christmas, Wellingtonians can expect the usual windy weather the city is known for.

In the South Island, Christchurch is forecast to receive the warmest weather of the south on Christmas with a high of 26C. Nelson and Marlborough are also expected to receive nice, warm weather.

Further south, cold air sitting about the lower South Island is expected to bring cooler temperatures, with Queenstown forecast to receive a high of 16C – 10C lower than Christchurch.

Christmas indoors?

Some places around the country may have to shift their Christmas celebrations indoors due to rainy weather.

Corrigan said there is a band of rain in the far north of the country that could bring persistent rain to places like Kaitaia and Bay of Islands.

He said previous modelling was bringing that rain band further south to Auckland, but many Aucklanders will be pleased to know that is looking less likely.

If there is rain in Auckland on Christmas, it is most likely to be brief showers in the second half of the day, he added.

The wettest weather is expected to be on the West Coast, along the main spine of the Southern Alps. Further south, Otago and Southland may experience spots of rain.

Christmas Day forecast:

  • Auckland: High of 24C, low of 17C
  • Tauranga: High of 24C, low of 16C
  • Hamilton: High of 24C, low of 13C
  • Wellington: High of 20C, low of 16C
  • Christchurch: High of 26C, low of 11C
  • Dunedin: High of 19C, low of 10C
  • Invercargill: High of 18C, low of 7C

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Anchors, camels and kayaks: A less traditional Christmas for Kiwi travellers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Christmas is often defined by the traditions of familiar faces, overflowing tables and the comfort of home. But for some families, choosing a different path has reshaped the festive season into something altogether more adventurous.

For Richard and Carolyn Powles, Christmas now unfolds at anchor. While their voyage from New Zealand to Malaysia began in 2023, the couple has been living aboard their yacht, Moon River, for a decade.

Carolyn’s love of the sailing life began in childhood, fuelled by books about ocean adventures and early voyages around New Zealand’s islands. What started as an experiment with her own family soon became a full-time reality. Today, the family of six trades suburbia for saltwater horizons as they sail the world together.

Richard and Carolyn Powles family’s SV Moon River at shore.

Supplied / Carolyn Powles (@chasingmoonriver)

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

Posted on

One injured after fire destroys home in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Rob Dixon

A fire has destroyed a home and left one person injured in the Christchurch suburb of Mairehau.

Up to four crews were called to Kellys Road shortly before 5am on Wednesday to find the single-storey property well ablaze.

Fire and Emergency said the fire encroached onto the next-door unit, causing minor damage.

A person has been taken to hospital in a moderate condition.

One crew is still there, dampening down hotspots.

A fire investigator is heading to the scene this morning.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Posted on

Cricket: Jayden Lennox earns first call-up as trio return for Black Caps

Source: Radio New Zealand

Central Stags spinner Jayden Lennox. Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nz

Central Districts spinner Jayden Lennox is in line to make his Black Caps debut after being named in the squad for the upcoming tour of India.

The left armer has been named in the ODI squad, alongside the uncapped Kristian Clarke, and emerging internationals Adi Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Nick Kelly, and the recent Test debutant, Michael Rae.

Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner return with the latter only for the T20s as part of his return-to-play plan as he recovers from his groin injury.

Michael Bracewell will captain the side during the one-day series in Santner’s absence.

Test Captain Tom Latham and seam bowler Matt Henry both miss the ODI series, with the former staying in New Zealand for the birth of his third child, and the latter joining the side for the T20s.

Coach Rob Walter said he’s pleased to see Lennox’s progression.

“Jayden has been an identified player of interest for some time and has some good New Zealand ‘A’ experience under his belt. He’s consistently been one of the top performers in white-ball cricket domestically for a number of seasons.”

Jayden Lennox in action. Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nz

Nathan Smith (side), Blair Tickner (shoulder) and Mark Chapman (ankle) were not considered for selection for the ODI series due to injury. Chapman is on track to play in the T20 series.

Ben Sears has returned from his stint in Melbourne, but was not considered for selection in ODI cricket as he works through his return to play programme. Sears is progressing well and is on track to be available for the Super Smash.

Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to commitments in the SA20 league, while fast bowler Will O’Rourke is injured.

Mitch Hay will be the wicketkeeper for the ODI series, whereas Devon Conway will take the gloves for the T20Is.

Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra will both sit out the ODI series to allow them to rest after being involved in all cricket since the start of the home summer.

New Zealand will play five T20s immediately after the three ODIs in India, as part of their final preparation for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in February and March.

The importance of the series ahead of the T20 World Cup is not lost on Walter.

“Playing in the sub-continent is obviously very different to what we’re used to in New Zealand, so any opportunity we can get to expose our guys to those conditions can only be a good thing, especially prior to a T20 World Cup in the subcontinent.”

Alongside Santner, Mark Chapman and Henry are set to return to the T20 side after recovering from ankle and calf injuries respectively.

Batters Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson both come back into the T20 squad after producing some impressive performances for their respective domestic sides.

Jacobs is averaging 54 across his seven most recent innings, including one century, and Robinson is averaging just over 60 across his last nine innings, including two centuries.

James Neesham and Ish Sodhi also come return, with Neesham having stints in the Nepal Premier League and ILT20 in recent weeks. Sodhi returns from domestic duties with Canterbury.

Newly IPL-contracted players Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes have earned the nod after impressing throughout the home summer, with Foulkes set to experience T20 cricket in India for the first time.

Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert will be joining the squad in India as soon as their franchise commitments are complete. This will allow them to feature in the back end of the T20 series in India ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The World Cup Squad will be announced in mid-January.

ODI Squad for India:

Michael Bracewell (c) – Wellington Firebirds

Adi Ashok – Auckland Aces

Kristian Clarke – Northern Districts

Josh Clarkson – Central Stags

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Mitch Hay – Canterbury

Kyle Jamieson – Canterbury

Nick Kelly – Wellington Firebirds

Jayden Lennox – Central Stags

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

Henry Nicholls – Canterbury

Glenn Phillips – Otago Volts

Michael Rae – Canterbury

Will Young – Central Stags

T20 Squad v India:

Mitchell Santner (c) – Northern Districts

Michael Bracewell – Wellington Firebirds

Mark Chapman – Auckland Aces

Devon Conway – Wellington Firebirds

Jacob Duffy – Otago Volts

Zak Foulkes – Canterbury

Matt Henry – Canterbury

Kyle Jamieson – Canterbury

Bevon Jacobs – Auckland Aces

Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury

James Neesham – Auckland Aces

Glenn Phillips – Otago Volts

Rachin Ravindra – Wellington Firebirds

Tim Robinson – Wellington Firebirds

Ish Sodhi – Canterbury

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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