Category: Public Media

Posted on

Labour leader takes aim at government in first speech of election year

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins prepares to address his party’s caucus retreat in West Auckland, RNZ / Lillian Hanly

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has come out swinging at the government in his first speech of election year, saying its responsible for the situation New Zealand is in.

Hipkins said New Zealanders were looking for a “sense of hope” this year as he addressed his party at its caucus retreat in West Auckland, saying people weren’t getting that sense of hope from this government.

“They’re seeing more cuts, more negativity, real doom and gloom from the current government, and what they want is a sense of hope that better is possible and that a better future for New Zealand is possible.”

Hipkins took aim at the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation speech, saying New Zealanders got “another litany of blame and excuses” from Christopher Luxon on Monday when what they wanted was a “plan for the future.”

“Stringing together a bunch of management buzz words is not a plan, and it’s certainly not a vision,” said Hipkins.

There was no leadership from this government, he said, and referenced the comments Luxon had made in the past about New Zealanders.

“We have a prime minister who thinks that low-income New Zealanders are bottom feeders, who think that fundamentally, New Zealand is a wet, whiny, miserable country,” said Hipkins.

He joked that it was “little bit wet today” acknowledging the wind and rain outside the venue.

“But actually, what I heard from Kiwis over the summer break was not whiny and miserable, it was desperate for something to get excited about, for some sense of hope, some sense that the government has an idea about how to make the country better.”

He greeted his MPs at their first gathering following the summer break saying “welcome to election year.”

Hipkins said the party had done the “hard work” over the last couple of years, listening, taking stock, refreshing and renewing themselves after its defeat in 2023.

“Now we are into election year – that means we get to talk about what we want to do, how we will do things differently, but also remind New Zealanders of the absolute mess this government has created.

“Because while they will try and find everybody else to blame for the mess they’ve created, make no bones about it, this government are responsible for the situation that New Zealand is in at the moment.”

Speaking off the cuff to a conference room at the Quality Inn Lincoln Green in West Auckland filled with Labour MPs and staff, who nodded throughout the speech commenting “that’s right” in agreement.

Hipkins spoke of the “record number of Kiwis” who left the country last year looking for “opportunity elsewhere” they couldn’t find in New Zealand.

“That is an absolute indictment on Christopher Luxon and his government.

“New Zealanders now are looking to us to provide that alternative.”

Hipkins said the party had listened, taken stock and renewed itself after its defeat in 2023. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

He spoke of the “structural deficit” Nicola Willis had “created”, pointing to the pre-election fiscal update in 2023, “New Zealand was on a pathway to recovery.”

“We were heading back into surplus.

“The economy was going to start growing again, and the first thing that this government did was a slash and burn exercise that ended all of that.”

Hipkins said Labour wouldn’t be “shy” in reminding New Zealanders the situation they found themselves in now was because of the “bad choices of this government.”

“Tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies, whilst hard working, New Zealanders find it harder to buy their first home or go and see the doctor.”

He pointed to Labour policies such as the New Zealand Future Fund and three free doctor visits, paid for by a capital gains tax, saying it had been “well received” by people.

“New Zealanders want it. They have made that very clear. They want to see investment moved out of the speculative housing market and into providing opportunities for New Zealanders.”

He blamed the current government for increased unemployment in New Zealand, and more people on job seeker benefits.

“Despite all of their tough talk about sanctions, they’re actually making it harder for New Zealanders to get a job, and we will hold them accountable for that.”

But he said Labour would do more than that by offering a “real and compelling alternative”, because “better is possible.”

He said Willis, Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters “all want to tell you that this is as good as it gets” and if they stand back that “somehow things will fix themselves.”

“They won’t.

“It requires some leadership from government, and there’s been no leadership from this government at all.”

Hipkins closed his opening remarks by saying the party was “fired up and excited for election year” and welcoming incoming Labour MP Georgie Dansey, as former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe announces his retirement from politics.

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

Watch: Election to be held on 7 November, Christopher Luxon announces

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that this year’s election will be held on 7 November.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November had already been the most mentioned frequently as a likely date.

Several pundits are picking the election to be called for after the American mid-terms set for 3 November, which will be a key indicator for how US President Donald Trump’s remaining two years in office will fare.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces the general election will be held on 7 November as National’s caucus meets to start the 2026 political year. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

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

Weather: Gisborne region prepares for incoming deluge

Source: Radio New Zealand

Slash at Tolaga Bay following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. RNZ / Alexa Cook

The mayor of Gisborne says the district’s Civil Defence and emergency services are ready to go ahead of heavy rains forecast for the next 24 hours.

Up to 350mm of rain is expected to fall north of Tolaga Bay overnight.

While nearly 150mm of rain is expected over Gisborne – south of Tolaga Bay – and Hawke’s Bay ahead of 10am Thursday.

Rehette Stoltz said people should avoid any unnecessary travel and be ready for power cuts in the area.

“With the land already so saturated we might see landslips and roads being blocked by trees so please drive the conditions. Also make sure your devices are charged, make sure you’ve got some basics at home if you need to look after yourself or whanau for a day or two,” Stoltz said.

Stoltz said people who were feeling unsafe in their current location should self evacuate if necessary. She said the council was working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), police, ambulance and New Zealand Transport Agency, should the situation escalate.

She urged people to get in touch with Civil Defence or the council if they needed assistance.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Group controller for Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence, Ben Green, said extra police and Fire and Emergency (FENZ) staff had been brought into the area.

“Across police additional staff [are] coming in, equipment and capability [have been] deployed supplementing particularly rural areas. FENZ have specialist teams bought in – they’re looking to embed some of those in the coastal areas and that allows us the ability to have a bit of back up if we do start losing access on [State Highway] 35.

“St John – in terms of additional medical support – they’re deploying and putting assets up into the northern area of the [East] Cape there.

“That is very much the main effort and focus for today, and that’s certainly been underway from yesterday as well.”

He said Civil Defence was checking in with campgrounds, particularly in coastal areas, where people from out of town might still be holidaying.

Area manager for Tolaga Bay Civil Defence, Greg Shelton, said if people felt unsafe – particularly those in exposed areas or near the Hikuwai River – they should leave their location ahead of nightfall.

Damage caused by Tologa Bay by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Supplied / Bridget Parker

Shelton said the high amount of rainfall forecast could see the Hikuwai River reaching levels of up to 12m or more.

“All those people now that are exposed or living along the Hikuwai River – even if they have lifted their houses – we encourage them to leave as well because – if the river does reach 12 [metres] plus, we really don’t want to be out there trying to rescue or find people at night-time.”

Shelton said Mangatuna – which lay along SH35 – was of particular risk, but the whole area should prepare for flooding, fallen trees and possible power cuts.

He said preparations had begun shortly after the incoming weather system was identified over a week ago.

He said overnight teams would be put in place and he was confident that the communities in the area – well versed in dealing with adverse weather – had the current situation under control.

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

Watch live: Election to be held on 7 November, Christopher Luxon announces

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that this year’s election will be held on 7 November.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November had already been the most mentioned frequently as a likely date.

Several pundits are picking the election to be called for after the American mid-terms set for 3 November, which will be a key indicator for how US President Donald Trump’s remaining two years in office will fare.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces the general election will be held on 7 November as National’s caucus meets to start the 2026 political year. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

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

Women saved from ‘eye-level water’ in dramatic kayak rescue

Source: Radio New Zealand

John Welch paddles Jazmyn Welch’s partner Holly to safety after their Kūaotunu home was surround by neck-deep, fast-moving floodwaters. Peter de Graaf / RNZ

A woman rescued by kayak from the deck of her Coromandel home on Wednesday morning says she has never seen flooding like it – not even during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Jazmyn Welch said when help arrived, her home at Kūaotunu, north of Whitianga, was surrounded by neck-deep, fast-flowing water – and it was still rising.

The first she knew was when her partner, Holly, got up for work about 5.30am.

“She came into the room, burst open the door, and said, ‘You’ve got to get up now, because the whole entire outside of the house is water, like eye-level water.’ It was so high, and it was getting higher and higher.”

Welch called her father’s partner, a volunteer firefighter, who swung into action straight away.

“They organised a kayak, and my dad came and rescued us from the balcony. The water was getting higher as we were on the phone to dad’s girlfriend. Our house is on stilts and at that point I’d say the water was probably up to my neck.”

“The current next to us was rushing so fast, our barbecue was gone, the gas bottle was floating on the water.”

Her father, John Welch, took the women to safety one at a time, paddling through trees to the nearest dry land about 100 metres away.

“We have a massive backyard and it was completely underwater. Luckily we moved our cars to higher ground the night before.”

Welch and her partner took only their car keys, passports, phones and a change of clothes in dry bags.

They stacked the rest of their belongings on high shelves and on top of the beds, and blocked any gaps under the doors as best they could.

All they could take was their phones, car keys, passports and a change of clothes each, in dry bags provided by the fire brigade.

John Welch paddled through fast-flowing floodwaters to rescue his daughter and her partner from their deck of their Coromandel home. Peter de Graaf / RNZ

With a lot more rain expected overnight, she feared the house would go underwater.

She and Holly were now staying at her father’s home, but Civil Defence had opened up Kūatonu Hall for other residents, her neighbours included, who needed to evacuate.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before. We moved here three days before Cyclone Gabrielle, so we’ve seen major flooding and major road damage before, but not that bad.

“This house is a little cabin on stilts, and it was 360 [degrees] surrounded by water. It was like we were sitting in the river. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen, especially at 5.30 in the morning. It was pitch black and there was just water rushing all around us.

“It was pretty, pretty scary, and now we’re sitting safe and dry at dad’s house and praying that water doesn’t go inside the house on Wednesday night. But I’m unsure.”

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

Mercury Energy powers up new geothermal generator

Source: Radio New Zealand

At full capacity the Ngā Tamariki power station was expectec to generate enough electricity to supply about 158,000 average homes. Supplied / Mercury Energy

Mercury Energy has powered up its new geothermal generator near Taupō, which is now delivering electricity generation to the national grid.

Built at a cost of $220 million, the new unit is expected to be fully operational by March.

Mercury said the unit will add a further 46 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power about 55,000 homes – ahead of winter, lifting the station’s installed capacity from 86 MW to 132 MW.

At full capacity, Mercury said the Ngā Tamariki power station would generate around 1120 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to supply about 158,000 average homes – more than all residential homes in Christchurch.

The station is powered by nine geothermal wells drilled more than 3000 metres below the surface, where temperatures reach up to 290 degrees Celsius.

Mercury chief executive Stew Hamilton said the expansion is part of a $1 billion investment in three renewable generation developments planned by the company.

“These include the Ngā Tamariki expansion, stage two of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm in Southland, and the Kaiwaikawe wind farm in Northland.”

The Ngā Tamariki geothermal station is owned by Mercury. However, the resource has been developed in partnership with Tauhara North 2 Trust and with mana whenua Ngāti Tahu Ngāti Whaoa.

The trust jointly owns the resource consents, receives a revenue stream from the station, and holds options to take an equity stake.

Investigations into geothermal development at Ngā Tamariki date back to 1986, with the power station first commissioned in 2013.

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

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces Election Day 2026 date

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to announce the date of this year’s general election.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November has been mentioned most frequently as a likely date.

Several pundits are picking the election to be called for after the American mid-terms set for 3 November, which will be a key indicator for how US President Donald Trump’s remaining two years in office will fare.

Luxon will speak to reporters shortly.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

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

40,000 plates, 28,000 meatballs: Ikea breaks records

Source: Radio New Zealand

People queue to enter IKEA on its opening day in Auckland. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

More than half a million people visited Auckland’s Ikea in its first month of business.

Ikea said the Sylvia Park shop was the top-performing in the Ingka Group anywhere in the world for food sales.

The busiest day was Sunday, 7 December, when almost 30,000 people visited.

There were also 1.9 million website users in the first month.

Ikea sold almost 50,000 of its Frakta blue bag, 40,000 white Oftast plates and 29,480 white Oftast bowls.

New Zealand shoppers also bought more than 54,000 hot dogs and more than 21,000 cinnamon buns as well as 28,000 servings of meatballs and mashed potatoes.

University of Auckland marketing expert Shahper Richter said some of the activity was due to the novelty of a new shopping option.

People queue to enter IKEA on its opening day in Auckland. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

“Ikea isn’t a normal retailer, it’s destination shopping. The showroom acts like a decision-aid, the food makes it feel like a cheap outing, and Smaaland [a supervised play area] is a quiet superpower.

“Free childcare reduces the friction for families, which drives longer stays and repeat visits. Crowds will settle from opening-month levels, but I’d expect it to remain a major drawcard because it creates habits, not just hype.”

Retail consultant Chris Wilkinson, from First Retail Group, said it had been the country’s most anticipated retail opening.

“They hit the market at a key time for spending, pre-Christmas, and it benefited from owning every media channel for weeks leading up to and following the opening.

“Now the store has got through the fascination and novelty factor, we’re likely to see the serious shoppers venture in – those who will be looking for inspiration and want the space to enjoy the experience of those curated room spaces and unique products, that the initial frenzy would not have enabled.

“These are the people who tend to spend more, so I would anticipate this will propel the second wave of concentrated activity. This should carry on this year as locals and visitors make a visit part of their leisure itinerary. I say that because a visit there is a purposeful move – it’s not a place you simply pop into – due to its scale, and the intentional need for shoppers to navigate the large store and room settings and likely distractions of the food offer.

“So, I think that the novelty will be sustained for quite some time as they strategically launch new products and consumer chatter through socials continue to keep the brand top of mind.”

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

Emerging Māori artist TAWHAKI hopes music can help rangatahi choose a different path

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fast-rising artist Ngatainui Ratu, known by his stage name Tawhaki, says his music draws on kōrero passed down by his whānau, exploring themes of identity, pride, and impacts of colonisation. Supplied

Fast-rising Māori roots reggae artist Ngatainui Ratu, known by his stage name TAWHAKI, says his music is about turning inherited trauma into something positive – and encourages rangatahi Māori to believe in a future they may not yet be able to see.

Named Emerging Artist under 25 (Te Tohu Kaipūoro Rangatahi Hou) at the 2025 Māori Music Awards, the 20-year-old is quickly becoming one of the standout voices of new generation of musicians in Aotearoa.

His tracks ‘The Valleys’ and ‘Roaming’ have gone viral across social media, placing him among a growing wave of rangatahi gaining momentum alongside artists such as Te Wehi and Hori Shaw.

While his songs have found a wide audience online, TAWHAKI said their success was never something he anticipated.

“I didn’t expect it to blow up as much as it did,” he told RNZ. “It’s just cool to see our people re-indigenise to who they are in their own way.”

‘The Valleys’, one of his most well-known tracks, began as a song shared quietly with whānau.

“I first sang ‘The Valleys’ at my uncle’s birthday… It was something personal I kept to myself.

“My uncle encouraged me to put it online, and suddenly I was out of my comfort zone, just a boy from the middle of nowhere.”

Much of his songwriting centres on identity, pride, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. He said those themes were drawn directly from the kōrero passed down through his whānau.

“My nannies and my koros, all they’ve spoken about is how they’ve suffered trauma over the years and over the lifetime they’ve lived,” he said.

“All I’m saying is, how do we turn this trauma into something positive? A positive mindset so we can all work together as one.”

Tawhaki said his early upbringing in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori has shaped the way he writes and tells stories through his music Supplied

One of the key messages woven throughout his lyrics is the idea of belief, such as believing in outcomes that may feel out of reach.

In ‘The Valleys’, the lyrics “Koi te mata pūnenga, maiangi te mata pūihoiho” reflect the idea of believing in the unbelievable. he said.

“We need to believe the unbelievable, asking how we reconnect and live alongside the people who colonised our lands.”

TAWHAKI said music was a tool for holding space for stories that were often left unspoken.

“That’s what music’s about at the end of the day – it’s speaking the untold stories that our people have told, but they’re just scared to tell the story.

“And it’s kids like us that have grown up in the society where people torment you and dishonour you… The question is how [do] we flip that story and make it a positive?”

TAWHAKI grew up immersed in te ao Māori and music.

“Tipu ake ahau ki te pā o Waiwhetū, ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I reira au i ako ai i ngā wheako o te ao waiata.”

He spent his early years in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori, and credited his talents to the likes of his whānau. His māmā and his grandparents were also musicians.

“Singing’s just been a part of my life since the day I came out of my mum’s womb.”

TAWHAKI was also raised within kapa haka, which he said helped shape both his voice and worldview.

“Tipu ake ahau ki roto ki ngā mahi kapa haka. Koira tōku ao, ko te ao ō te waiata.”

Growing up Māori-medium education, TAWHAKI said using te reo Māori in his music came with a sense of responsibility to future generations.

“I hope people take something from my music and write it into their own scriptures. It’s up to us to create pathways for the next generation so they don’t have to live the way we live today.”

In the current political climate, TAWHAKI believed it was important for Māori storytelling to be future-focused.

“It’s up to us to become the ancestors of tomorrow. I don’t care about narratives. I care about the future.”

Tawhaki says his mother and grandparents are the foundation of his whare. Supplied

Winning Te Tohu Kaipūoro Rangatahi Hou, TAWHAKI said, was a collective achievement.

“It’s beyond words, but it’s not just my achievement,” he said. “It’s not a one man’s band. It takes a whole village and a whole pā to raise a child.”

His strongest support system remained close to home.

“My mum and my grandparents, they’re the foundation of my whare,” he said.

“Ko rātou tōku poukaiawha, tōku pou tuarongo, tōku pou matua o tōku whare. They’ve enabled me to build my whare by myself, with their support.”

As his audience continued to grow, TAWHAKI said he had become increasingly aware of the responsibility that came with visibility.

“I come from a family where all I see is red, just like some people see blue,” he said.

“It’s cool to interact with people around the world that see many colours, and we’re all the same at the end of the day.”

He said seeing people from all walks of life come together through waiata was his “drive to keep going”.

“Not just for my family, but for families who suffer like mine did.”

Tawhaki said his aspiration is to be a positive role model for others, particularly for his tamariki. Supplied

At just 20 years old, he was also a father to two young daughters.

“I’ve got two beautiful kids, and this is for them,” he said. “I want to show that stepping away from that life is actually cool.

“Turn left down a pathway you don’t know, one day it will give you more than the life you were shown.”

With tour dates planned across the country and growing interest in his music, TAWHAKI said he was content to let the future unfold.

“I just jumped on the waka,” he said. “Whatever the future has for me, it has for me.”

For rangatahi Māori hoping to follow a similar path, his advice was to “just be yourself”.

“Koira te uho o tō ake manawa.” [Being yourself], that is your core. There’s nothing better than being yourself. Being yourself is the pinnacle of your world.”

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

Watch: Trump calls Renee Good’s death a ‘tragedy’

Source: Radio New Zealand

US president Donald Trump says he felt “horribly” about the shooting of mother of three Renee Good and hopes her father still supports him.

Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot into her vehicle Minneapolis in early January.

She was was hit at point blank range as she apparently tried to drive away from agents who were crowding around her car, which they said was blocking their way.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, surged law enforcement up to about 2000 officers in the area by January, during an immigration crackdown it named ‘Operation Metro Surge’.

“And you know they’re going to make mistakes sometimes, Trump said.

“ICE is going to be too rough with somebody or you know – they’re dealing with rough people. They’re going to make a mistake sometimes, it can happen.

“I felt horribly when I was told that the young woman who was – had the tragedy, it’s a tragedy, it’s a horrible thing.

“Everybody would say ..ICE would say the same thing.

“But when I learned her her parents – an her father in particular is like, I hope he still is, but I don’t know – was a tremendous Trump fan.

“He was all for Trump, loved Trump. And uh … it’s terrible. I was told that by a lot of people, they said, oh he loves you … I hope he still feels that way, I don’t know – it’s a hard, hard situation.”

The fatal shooting sparked protest rallies across the United States.

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