Category: Public Media

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Super Rugby Pacific countdown: Legends reflect on competition’s history

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jeff Wilson, Justin Marshall and Mils Muliaina. PHOTOSPORT

While professional rugby is a relatively recent development, 30 years certainly feels like a long time ago for some of the players who ran out for the inaugural Super Rugby season. Known as Super 12 for the first 10 seasons, the competition revolutionised every aspect of rugby both on the field and off.

Now, after several name changes and even more to its format, we have Super Rugby Pacific. This year’s edition will follow on from what was seen as a real return to form in 2025, with the competition serving up the sort of attacking rugby that made it instantly popular all those years ago.

Former Highlanders wing Jeff Wilson said that it was clear there’s been a shift to recapture that feeling.

Jeff Wilson evades a tackle by Jonah Lomu, Highlanders v Blues, Carisbrook, 1998 © PHOTOSPORT www.photosport.co.nz

“There was a conversation about the fans and what Super Rugby should look like, the way it should be played and the influence of the referees,”

“I think there was a real collective feeling that there’s an open game, there’s the sort of rugby that people can get excited about, where it’s competitive, and action and tries.”

Justin Marshall, who played in five championship winning Crusaders seasons, said that things have come a long way since the competition’s inception. In 1996 the game had just gone through a protracted battle for control between media powerbrokers Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch, which meant players had stayed in their previous jobs outside of rugby in case everything fell over.

Justin Marshall, Crusaders v Hurricanes at Lancaster Park, 1999. © Photosport Ltd 1999 www.photosport.nz

“When we got together with the Crusaders, all of that stuff was working itself out between Packer and Murdoch. So we were training really early in the morning at 5:30am, then going off to work and then we’d train again later in the afternoon,” said Marshall.

“It was strange for me as a 21-year-old, but I can see where a lot of the older guys, Stu and Richard Loe, Chris England, Mike Brewer…they wanted to make sure they still had employment.”

Future All Black test centurion Mils Muliaina watched both Wilson and Marshall, as a teenager at Southland Boys High School. Mulaina would go on the play for the Blues and Chiefs over the from 2001-11 and reflected that Super 12 was a game changer for young fans like himself.

“It was this new sort of competition, it was vibrant, exciting, colourful. We had cheerleaders! So as a 16-year-old you’re thinking ‘how awesome would it be to play this’. The Highlanders would come to Invercargill and I would see other brown faces, I remember seeing Lio Falaniko and thinking he was a massive beast…I hadn’t seen too many brown faces around before.”

Mils Muliaina, Blues v Reds, 2004. PHOTOSPORT

This year’s competition kicks off on 13 February, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Wilson is unashamedly confident his old team can pull off an upset against the defending champions.

“The one thing the Highlanders can do is get out to the fast start…I think you’re more likely to get an upset in round one, for me anyone can win any of these games because some teams will hit the ground running faster than others.”

The following night sees another big derby between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park. The Chiefs are coming off three defeats in the final in a row, however Marshall is confident this could be the year their heartbreak ends.

“You never, ever get anything but complete performances out of the Chiefs. They’re just a classy outfit, so it’s going to be a hell of a good game,” he said.

Muliaina, who won a Super 12 title with the Blues in 2003, can’t split his two former teams.

“The Blues fell into a bit of a hole at the start of last season, then they got back, there’s a new coaching staff at the Chiefs…I can’t pick this one.”

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

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Twin protests set to cause traffic woes for Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand

A pro-Palestine protest in Auckland’s CBD in 2025. Nick Monro

Police say commuters should expect delays in Auckland’s central city on Saturday with two protests planned.

Inspector Jacqui Whittaker said they were expecting large numbers of people to take part in a Palestine solidarity rally at Te Komititanga Square at about midday.

The group, led by Toitū Te Aroha, also planned to march down Queen Street to Myers Park.

“We expect numbers to grow around Te Komititanga Square from mid-morning, with those taking part expecting to disperse from Myers Park in the afternoon,” Whittaker said.

“Police will be monitoring the hīkoi as it progresses up Queen Street, and our focus is on ensuring this is completed safely.

“Our focus is on ensuring those taking part can exercise their right to peaceful protest, while balancing minimising disruptions as much as possible.”

She said police were also aware of another unrelated protest near the Harbour Bridge.

Detours would be in place for all bus services that travel to or through the city centre for several hours from 11am on Saturday.

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

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MediaWorks owner QMS sold to Australia’s Nine Entertainment

Source: Radio New Zealand

MediaWorks is a major player in the country’s commercial radio market. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Australian media giant Nine Entertainment has acquired MediaWorks’ parent, QMS Media, for AU$850 million (NZ$986m).

Nine also announced the sale of its Australian commercial radio assets to a private buyer for AU$56m.

However, QMS’ New Zealand operations appeared to be unaffected.

MediaWorks is a major player in the country’s commercial radio market with stations such as The Breeze, The Rock and More FM, and has a significant presence in outdoor advertising.

In an email to staff, MediaWorks chief executive Wendy Palmer said it was “business as usual” and its ownership remained the same.

“This change in ownership of QMS simply gives us more clarity and focus on what we do best at MediaWorks – deliver an amazing suite of radio brands, audio products and digital offerings to our partners and audiences alike,” she told staff.

Palmer said the company saw strong financial results in 2025 and was in “great shape”.

Nine Group chief executive Matt Stanton said it was a “critical milestone” in its transformation plans.

“The acquisition of this high-growth digital outdoor media company, QMS, further diversifies Nine’s revenue streams and adds scale to our advertiser and agency relationships,” he said.

“QMS is a highly complementary media platform, offering Nine the opportunity to drive significant value by leveraging our premium content on QMS screens and creating an unparalleled advertising proposition that spans from ‘sofa to street’.”

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Christopher Luxon confirms he won’t join Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Chirstopher Luxon. RNZ / Calvin Samuel

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

In a brief statement on Friday morning, Luxon confirmed the government would not accept the invitation to join the board in its “current form”, after considering the offer.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters posted a longer message on social media where he said a number of states had already stepped up to the board and New Zealand would not add significant additional value.

He said there was a role for the board in Gaza, but it was essential that its work was consistent with the United Nations charter.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon was being “too polite” about the invitation and “he should show some leadership”.

“Not joining the Board of Peace is absolutely the right thing to do, it’s preposterous Christopher Luxon would even consider it.

“The idea that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin can sit around a table and decide on one nation’s peace while they wage their own wars is absurd.”

Hipkins earlier condemned the invite, labelling the government’s refusal to rule out joining the board an “absolute disgrace”.

A draft charter for the organisation, which would be chaired by Trump, was sent to a number of world leaders – including Canada’s Mark Carney, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Greens-co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick had written to the Prime Minister on Monday, urging Luxon to “publicly and unequivocally reject this invitation”.

The board’s creation comes shortly after the announcement of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, charged with managing the day-to-day governance of post-war Gaza.

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

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How to make your wine investments sparkle

Source: Radio New Zealand

Eighty five percent of wines sold at auction are French. 123RF

One of the things former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham’s son Brooklyn made headlines for this week was sharing “the world’s most expensive” wine with his wife, Nicola Peltz.

The details turned out to be a little murkier than that.

Media reported that it was actually unclear which wine they were drinking, but the restaurant in Montecito had a 1811 Château d’Yquem in its cellar, which last sold at auction in 2012 for about £75,000 (NZ$170,000).

This may have prompted questions from readers – including (but probably not limited to) how does a wine become worth such a lot of money? And might my bottle of Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc in my wine rack reach such lofty heights?

University of Auckland senior lecturer in finance Gertjan Verdickt studies wine investment and is also on the board of WineFi, a syndicate that lets people invest in a portfolio of wines.

He said there were a few reasons why wine could be a good investment.

For investment-grade wine, there was a fixed supply, he said, and increasing demand.

“Interestingly, if the Beckhams drink these expensive wines, the supply drops – while the demand generally does not. In economics, we also call this a Veblen good: as products become more exclusive, prices go up.”

Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham and wife Nicola Peltz-Beckham arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Vertical Entertainment’s ‘Lola’ held at the Regency Bruin Theatre on February 3, 2024. IMAGE PRESS AGENCY

He said there was also a convenience yield of about 2 to 3 percent a year that came from having investments that were real and tangible. This could also apply to art investments and things like handbags.

There was also a social aspect to wine investing, he said.

“You can show off the bottles you have to people. The most expensive one is called DRC, it’s about €20,000 (NZ$45,500) per bottle. The fact that you can say that you own this gives pleasure, and people are willing to pay for this.”

He said over the last 100 years the return on investment-grade wine had been about 6 to 7 percent.

“Over the short-term – the last 20 years – wine’s return is around 8 percent. On a risk-adjusted basis, it outperforms other asset classes, such as bonds. It produces a return just below equities, but with interesting correlations from a diversification perspective. In other words: adding it to your overall portfolio can decrease the risk of your overall portfolio.”

But he said there could be issues with it. Selling wine could be a slow process compared to selling shares on the share market.

“As such, investors ask for compensation – a liquidity risk premium – which drives up prices. So this means that wine investment should be a long-term investment.

“As such, investment-grade wine is wine that is more liquid than others: buying wine is easy, selling is the name of the game. In my dataset of 6 million observations, I have 175 labels that I consider sufficiently liquid to include in this category.”

He said people could invest in wine in a few ways. The auction house Webbs buys and sells a lot of wine.

“They generally focus on New Zealand labels, but also have some important French ones – mainly Bordeaux and Burgundy, some Champagne.”

Champagne is a French sparkling wine, produced only from grapes grown in the Champagne region. Unsplash

In Australia, he said, Langton’s was probably the most active wine auction house in the world.

“They have everything, although the home bias is also very large there.”

People who bought their own wine to invest could store it at home or in a bonded warehouse, he said, but there would be some costs associated with that.

He said the average investment grade bottle of wine was about NZ$500, so people would need some capital to get started.

“In the fund space, it is depending on the kind of fund. You have private equity structures, where you need NZ$250,000, or WineFi, where you need, depending on the product, between £3000-£5000 (NZ$6800-NZ$11,300).

“Now, I see wine investing is on the rise, if someone creates a tokenised version of this, this will be the next big thing. Then you don’t need to buy the DRC anymore, but you buy a part of it. If you want to sell, you sell your token, not the bottle. So liquidity goes up, storage/insurance costs go dow,… I see lots of advantages.”

And as for that bottle of wine in your wine rack? Verdickt said whether it was likely to improve in value would depend on how cheap it was.

“Do you consider €150 (NZ$295) for a bottle a lot? Given that there are many stocks worth more, I don’t consider them expensive, although I don’t drink them on the regular.

“Tignanello, which is an Italian supertuscan, is priced at around €100-€150 (NZ$197-$NZ295) for a new bottle. This is also something I consider to be of investment-grade level. So yes, that will also improve in value.”

University of Auckland senior lecturer in finance Gertjan Verdickt. University of Auckland

He said Felton Road had multiple wines that resold on the secondary market, although not often. “That’s why I don’t consider them of investment-grade level… Other wines you see often on Langton’s are Cloudy Bay and Ata Rangi… Again, I wouldn’t call them expensive from an investment perspective.”

He said it was not just about what you might like but also what would improve.

“I won’t go too deep into wine biology, but wine generally needs alcohol, tannins, acidity, body and taste to age well. That’s why you generally see more red wines on the market than white. So, if what you like ticks all of these boxes and will likely improve with age, then it can be an investment.

“Most wines, however, are consume-now wines – drink within two years – so that’s not very appealing. Also, most wines are mass consumption, which are also not very appealing. That’s why you don’t see a lot of non-vintage sparkling wines on the secondary market, but only vintage, because of that supply argument.”

He said Australia and New Zealand were lagging other markets when it came to wine. Eighty five percent of wines at auction were French.

He said the drinking window was important when determining how a wine’s value would change. Wines at the cheaper end of the investment scale tended to offer a higher investment return on average than the most expensive investment wines, he said.

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

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Wiki edit-a-thon celebrates wāhine in Aotearoa

Source: Radio New Zealand

Anjuli Selvadurai is Auckland Museum’s Wikimedian-in-Residence. Supplied

If you’ve ever fancied a go at editing one of the world’s largest-ever sources of knowledge, you’ve got a chance this weekend at the Auckland Museum.

Three years ago, it started running a summer programme for students, teaching them how to use Wikipedia as a tool to help support local history in Tāmaki Makaurau.

This year’s cohort is focused on the Women in Red movement – a global effort to make sure women don’t get left behind in Wikipedia references.

This weekend’s event at the museum is focused on boosting Wikipedia entries about New Zealand women in the arts, STEM, politics and law.

Anjuli Selvadurai is Auckland Museum’s Wikimedian-in-residence and oversees the students running the event.

Selvadurai told Nine to Noon that people can a long to the event, they just need to bring their laptop and “good vibes”.

“We are hoping to encourage young people to get engaged with Wikipedia and also engage with learning about their own local history,” Selvadurai said.

When Women in Red started in 2014, just 15 percent of biographies were about women. Now, it sits at about 20 percent.

“If you think of Wikipedia as just like a reflection of a wider knowledge system, it basically holds a mirror up at our society and tells us what we deem important,” Selvadurai said.

So, the great thing about the Women in Red movement is it’s a bunch of people that have decided that women, and women’s histories, are important and so they should be better represented online.”

Selvadurai said there are perceptions of Wikipedia not being reliable, but in this day and age, she said it is one of the more reliable platforms because you can see the paper trail of information and sources.

“One of the things I love about Wikimedia platforms is they really are collaborative, crowdsourced and all about people creating content and having discussions. There are really wonderful admins in place to make sure that content stays unbiased, and everything is sourced correctly.”

The event welcomes anyone whose ever wondered about Wikipedia or is interested in uplifting women, especially in New Zealand, to come along and bring a laptop, make an account, and the event will teach you the basics of editing.

“It’s a really nice collaborative experience learning to edit, and it can be quite addictive, actually, once you get the bug.”

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

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Mt Maunganui surf lifesaving club red-stickered following deadly landslide

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Mt Maunganui Surg Lifesaving Club building has been red-stickered following the landslide. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ

Mt Maunganui’s surf livesaving club at the base of the mountain has been red-stickered after last week’s deadly landslide.

It’s one of four buildings on Adams Ave to have a red placard issued under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act.

Tauranga City Council emergency controller, Tom McEntyre, said the notice did not mean a building must be automatically demolished.

A red sticker on the door of the Mt Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ

“It means it cannot be used until it is made safe,” he said.

“The hazard is frequently being assessed by geotech experts and the placard may be downgraded if, after re-assessment, it is determined that the immediate risk to the building has been reduced.”

The surfclub was cordoned off with tall barriers, and a red sticker was visible on the door on Friday.

Lifesavers were working on the beach next to the cordon sorting through equipment.

Members of the Mt Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club moving equipment out of the building. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service said the club couldn’t be accessed because of unstable land on the mountain behind it.

“We have this morning been able to recover more of the Mount Maunganui Surf Lifeguard Service equipment, including our competitive and junior surf resources,” it said.

“This was undertaken by a small team stood up by the logistic group of our incident response team and was undertaken in a very carefully planned and monitored operation with the full permission and support of the Tauranga City Council, NZ police and local iwi.”

The club said it would mean members could continue with training.

The club was first evacuated soon after the landslide, with crews relocating core rescue equipment to a portacom nearby on the beach.

The Mt Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club building on Friday. Kim Baker Wilson / RNZ

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NZ squash star Paul Coll reaches maiden final of prestigious event

Source: Radio New Zealand

Paul Coll is through to the final of the Tournament of Champions. PSA

New Zealand squash star Paul Coll will contest the Tournament of Champions final for the first time in his career after beating the World No. 3 in a tight battle in New York.

Coll advanced to the final after he overturned a 1-0 deficit to overcome Diego Elias 3-1.

The last time a Kiwi featured in the final of this tournament was 2003 when Carol Owens lifted the title, and Coll is now the first-ever male finalist from New Zealand, having seen off the Peruvian.

After the ‘Peruvian Puma’ won the opener 11-7, Coll eventually got his rewards for wearing down Elias to win the ensuing games 11-6, 11-2, 11-8 to tee up a third title showdown of the season against Egyptian Mostafa Asal.

A two-time semi-finalist, Coll arrived at the competition off the back of winning the Squash in the Land tournament in Cleveland, and has been able to continue his solid form into the Tournament of Champions.

Elias was looking to book his place in the final for the third consecutive time and started the better of the pair.

However, the lead didn’t last long as Coll showed why he is World No.2, clawing his way back into the contest.

Momentum then stayed in favour of Coll, his fitness on point as he took control of the contest, winning the third game comfortably.

Elias wasn’t prepared to go down without a fight, pushing Coll in the fourth. The scores were level at 7-7, however, Coll found another gear and went on to win 11-8.

“It is awesome, it is my first final here in New York, so I am very happy to be there. I am happy to see Diego [Elias] back on court, but it reminded me how hard it is to play when he is changing pace and holding me and stuff,” Coll said.

“It is good to see him back, and I am sure he will only get better and better. It was just about finding the balance between being patient and not being too passive, and attacking at the right times.”

Coll will face the World No.1 Mostafa Asal in tomorrow’s final.

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Rugby: Kini Naholo confident no X-factor lost after second ACL injury

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kini Naholo was set to make a move overseas last year before the ACL rupture. Steve McArthur / Photosport

Sport can be a cruel arena.

Hurricane Kini Naholo knows just how brutal it can be, as injuries have ravaged the Fijian winger’s career.

Since electrifying the national first XV scene with 40 tries in 20 games for Hastings Boys’ High in 2017, Naholo has been struck down with ankle, hip, hamstring, and two major ACL injures.

The first came in 2020 on Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs, which resulted in him playing his first three Super Rugby games for three different franchises, across three years as he landed in Wellington after a one-match stint with the Crusaders.

But in 2025, a fully fit Naholo appeared at the peak of his powers across the opening 10 rounds for the Hurricanes, leading the try scoring charts with eight and being touted for an All Black call-up.

Then, the injury curse struck Naholo down again, a ruptured ACL this time requiring surgery and eight months on the sideline.

Despite yet another setback, he has not slipped into a dark place.

“I guess it makes it easy. Not in a good way but because I know the struggles I’ve had when I did my first one. I know the process I have to go through and obviously it’s a little bit more significant than my first one but mentally I’m in a good space.”

He maintains a philosophical approach to injury.

“Obviously it wasn’t part of my plan but it is what it is, that’s rugby, everything happens for a reason and I’m happy to be back again with the club. If I’m meant to be here, I’m meant to be here. It can get a bit lonely at times when you’re doing rehab on your own, but I’ve gone through that a couple of times, my mindset is pretty strong. I’m just keen to I guess get back on the field and see what happens.”

After finishing fourth in the 2025 Super season, Naholo believes the ‘Canes can win their first title since 2016. Photosport / Elias Rodriguez

Naholo said he has sought advice from older brother and former All Black Waisake, who also endued his fair share of injuries during his playing time.

“He told me to listen to my body a bit more because I’m getting a bit older. When you’re a little bit younger you’re trying to push yourself but after a couple of surgeries I need to listen to my body a little bit more, I guess [that’s] the main thing that he’s been telling me.”

Naholo was set to make a move overseas last year before the ACL rupture, instead opting to re-sign with the Hurricanes and remain in Aotearoa.

“I just want to get my knee right, my body sorted and come into the season strong. I was looking for a new environment, new change. I’ve been playing in New Zealand for a while now. But I’m happy to be back when the news came that I couldn’t go. The coaches were happy and my family were happy as well to be here. I would like to play my games here with the Canes and then we’ll see what happens after that.”

With the likes of Jordie Barret re-joining the ranks in the capital, Naholo said there was some serious depth being built.

“It adds a bit more competition in the squad. There’s only 23 players going to play. But injury happens every week, so we talk about the next man up, everyone’s got to be ready for your chance, everyone’s got to be on the same page.”

After finishing fourth in the 2025 Super season, Naholo believes the ‘Canes can go deep and win their first title since 2016.

“Everyone’s pretty confident in how we’re going, we’ve got some new players, new coaching staff coming back and I think hopefully we can do a little better.”

As for whether the surgery has cost him any speed?

“My knee is slowing me down a bit at the moment, but I’m pretty confident I’ll get back there.”

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

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Council sells city’s Auckland Film Studios

Source: Radio New Zealand

An empty studio at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson. PHIL GREGORY

Auckland Council has sold the city’s biggest film studio to a private company.

Dozens of major films, including Minecraft and Predator Badlands, were filmed at the long running Auckland Film Studios.

Auckland’s mayor Wayne Brown confirmed Xytech, an Auckland lighting supplier turned major industry player, had bought the studios for an undisclosed price.

“This is a win for our region’s outstanding screen production industry. Paired with Auckland’s stunning scenery it will increase the appeal of Auckland to a global screen industry,” he said in a statement.

“This is a good move that also delivers for ratepayers. We’ll be handing this over to a seasoned operator, and that’s where it should be.”

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ

The sale, which will be settled on 27 February, came after the central government invested $30 million in the studio to build a pair of new sound stages in 2022.

In a statement, the council said it couldn’t confirm the sale price, but said the government’s $30m contribution would come back to the council to be held in a fund to reinvest in further screen infrastructure.

The terms of the sale would also require the site to remain a film studio for at least 10 years.

Auckland-based Xytech has grown into a major supplier of lighting and other film equipment for productions in the southern hemisphere since its founding in 1997, and opened its own X3 Studios in Wiri in 2020.

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