Source: Radio New Zealand
123rf
A strong quake has struck the Tonga region.
The 5.8-magnitude tremor hit northeast of ‘Eua just before 10am at a depth of 12km according to the US Geological Survey.
More to come.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
(File photo) RNZ / REECE BAKER
A person has died after an early morning crash on a remote road north of Gisborne.
The single vehicle crash on Anauru Road was reported to emergency services about 2:10am on Sunday, police said.
“The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing,” they said.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Northern Districts celebrate winning the Super Smash final. photosport
Northern Districts have consigned Canterbury to a sixth successive runners-up finish in the T20 Super Smash after winning the men’s final by five wickets at Hagley Oval.
Two decades after lifting the trophy in the inaugural season the Cantabrians’ drought continued after being outplayed by the visitors, who were top qualifiers for the decider after dropping only one game all season.
They ended up coasting to victory with more than two overs to spare, reaching 173-5 in response to the home side’s 171-5.
Northern took control after winning the toss, reducing Canterbury to 57/5 in the ninth over, including the removal of Black Caps pair Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls.
The hosts fought back through an unbeaten stand of 114 from 69 balls between Mitchell Hay (56 not out) and Leo Carter (54 not out).
Brett Hampton took 3-37 and sealed man-of-the-match honours by top-scoring in Northern’s response, smashing 55 off just 26 balls at the top of the order, plundering five sixes.
Joe Carter posted 47, helping keep his side well ahead of the required run rate.
Seamer Michael Rae took 3-37 for Canterbury.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Back in 2015, with a bandaged hand, Joel Shadbolt made his TV debut on Good Morning, singing with the Auckland-based funk band Batucuda Sound Machine. Future bandmate Brad Kora happened to be tuning in.
The drummer (a founding member of Kora) sent Shadbolt a Facebook message saying he was in the wrong band, and that he should come and jam in Whakatāne. When Brad and his brother Stu later invited Shadbolt to join L.A.B., he tells Music 101 the response was, “Is the pope Catholic? Let’s go!”
Eleven years on, L.A.B. (an acronym for the names of the band’s three original members) are one of the most successful New Zealand bands of the last decade. Shadbolt talks about their dynamic and shares some favourite songs, including a Toto “staple” and the doo-wop classic he teaches guitar students.
L.A.B. backstage at Christchurch’s Electric Avenue festival in February 2025. Left to right – Joel Shadbolt, Brad Kora, Stu Kora, Miharo Gregory and Ara Adams-Tamatea.
Lucy Hammond / @hammondvisuals
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Source: Radio New Zealand
A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Marika Khabazi / RNZ
A large building fire in Southland is expected to take a while to extinguish.
Crews were called to a building on Te Anau Milford Highway around 11.15pm on Saturday, where a roof was alight.
Fire and Emergency had feared people were still in the building, Fiordland Lodge, but said everyone had been accounted for.
Assistant Commander Nic McQuillan said the fire was contained to one wing, but work was continuing to suppress a flare-up and monitor hotspots.
He said it was a “complicated” operation due to the design of the building and the roof construction.
At its height, eight trucks, five tankers, four vehicles and an aerial appliance were involved in fighting the blaze.
Firefighters were called in from Te Anau, Manapouri, Mossburn, Blackmount, Lumsden and Invercargill. FENZ said additional crew were being called in to relieve the volunteers who had been tirelessly working throughout the night.
They had been able to save the majority of the building, but an unknown percentage of it had been damaged.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
123RF
Twelve-month prescriptions for long-term medications take effect from Sunday.
Patients can now get a script for up to 12 months of medication – up from three – with their doctor’s permission.
People with 12-month prescriptions will still need to collect their medication every three months, so the changes will not reduce their overall number of visits.
Pharmacists remain concerned. Some have previously told RNZ that explaining the changes, and getting used to a new system, will only add to their already heavy workload when staff are in short supply.
Gemma Perry-Waterhouse, who owns Sanders Pharmacy in Te Awamutu, said a shortage of pharmacists would make explaining the new system while keeping up with other responsibilities challenging.
“There has been a decline in the number of pharmacies in New Zealand, and there’s a serious workforce issue. We don’t have enough pharmacists.
“We are concerned about this rollout and how much time it will take to explain to all patients what to expect with 12-month scripts; the fact that it isn’t for everyone, that their doctor needs to decide that.
“Be kind to your pharmacy if you’re popping in to talk about a 12-month script and what to expect, because we’re all under a lot of pressure at the moment.”
In announcing the plan, Health Minister Simeon Brown said the previous system “creates unnecessary barriers for patients on stable, long-term medications like asthma inhalers, insulin for diabetes, and blood pressure tablets.
“It means added costs for patients and more paperwork for health professionals, taking time away from patients with more urgent or complex needs…
“It’s a win-win for patients and the health system – fewer avoidable hospitalisations, better health outcomes and reduced long-term costs.”
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland FC’s Nando Pijnaker. photosport
Injuries have marred Auckland FC’s 2-1 loss to Perth Glory – result that sees the visitors drop from first to third in the A-League standings.
Jesse Randall put Auckland in front just before halftime, rounding out a week in which it was announced the young forward will join Scottish club Dundee United at the end of the season.
However, Steve Corica’s team failed to hold on, conceding goals to Jaiden Kucharski in the 75th and 90th minutes to leave them with just one win from their last six matches.
Of concern to Corica will be injuries that forced goalkeeper Oli Sail and defender Nando Pijnaker from the field.
Sail, who replaced Michael Woud in the starting lineout, was stretchered from the field with an apparent knee problem midway through the second half, having slipped while taking a goal kick.
Pijnaker was forced off in the first spell with an unspecified leg injury.
Newcastle Jets have claimed top spot on the table, followed by Sydney FC.
Auckland FC’s next two matches are against Sydney – the first at home on Saturday next week.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Akaroa supplied
A dedicated investigation team from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission will be on the ground in Akaroa, following the grounding of a Black Cat ferry on Saturday afternoon.
Louise Cook, chief investigator of accidents, said there were reportedly 38 passengers and three crew on-board the 17-metre catamaran, on a wildlife cruise.
They were evacuated to nearby boats and no injuries were reported.
Cook said getting the facts straight was vital, and she was keen to hear from people who were on-board or witnessed the accident, and to receive any photos or video footage.
The investigation team would be travelling to Akaroa “as soon as practicable”, TAIC said in a statement.
Over the next several days, they would be seeking and recovering any wreckage, securing electronic records – including photos, videos, and location data on people’s cellphones – and interviewing witnesses.
Following the accident, passenger Chris Friedman – visiting from San Francisco – told RNZ it was a stressful experience on his last day in New Zealand.
He said there was a loud sound, as if the boat had run over something, and he thought it might be a rock. It was followed by a whizzing sound that could have been from the engine.
“We were never really fearful that we were going to go down with the ship, but there was a teenager on-board who was quite scared and was crying, and there was also an older woman who was rather traumatised,” he said.
The passengers were taken to the main wharf at Akaroa and no one was injured, he said.
Environment Canterbury said it was monitoring and assessing the catamaran to minimise the impact of any fuel leaks or debris on the environment.
“We are working alongside the owner, emergency services, the Department of Conservation, Maritime New Zealand, iwi and the local community.”
Black Cat Cruises said it was the first time in more than 40 years that anything like this had happened.
It was launching its own investigation, and said it would also be working with authorities.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Wellington City Mission is launching a free dental service.
It will open on 10 February and run three days a week.
The Mission’s Murray Edridge said the need for the service was substantial, with one in three adults suffering from untreated tooth decay.
He said people on low incomes and in hardship suffered the most.
“And that’s been a consequence of lifestyle or circumstance or just the things that they’ve faced throughout their lives, and their inability to access services because of cost and other things has prevented them attending to that.”
The service would be delivered by Ora Toa dentists, with appointments available by referral only from social agencies across the Greater Wellington region.
Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge. Wellington City Mission
“We all know how miserable life is if you have sore teeth,” Edridge said.
“It’s just one of those things that significantly affects anybody’s wellbeing, and therefore the opportunity to provide a service to support people who have problems with their teeth is an amazing privilege that the City Mission is taking hold of.”
The service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Whakamaru on Oxford Terrace.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
In this high-stakes mystery mini-series, Kaley Cuoco’s dream holiday becomes a nightmare when her boyfriend disappears mid-journey on a train to the South of France. As she rushes to find him she finds herself brushing up against dangerous people and the hard truth that her partner isn’t who she thought he was. Filmed entirely on location, the series has slick euro-thriller feel and should satisfy those looking for an intriguingly high tension, binge session.
Watch: Prime Video
When: Friday, 27 Feb
Sam Claflin as Tom Parker, Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe in Vanished.
Supplied
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