Category: Radio New Zealand

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Strong ‘buyer’s market’ is working against anyone trying to sell an apartment

Source: Radio New Zealand

Across the country, 12.2 percent of sales in the first quarter of this year were for less than the sellers had paid for them. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Almost 20 percent of Auckland sellers lost money on properties they sold in the first quarter of this year, Cotality says – and more than 40 percent of people selling apartments.

Cotality said across the country, 12.2 percent of sales in the first quarter of this year were for less than the sellers had paid for them.

But in Auckland 19.9 percent of sales were for a loss. In Hamilton it was 13.1 percent and in Wellington 16.7 percent. Palmerston North recorded 17.4 percent losses. In Christchurch, fewer than 5 percent were for a loss.

For apartments, 41.1 percent were sold for a loss, the weakest since 2011. Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said there was no evidence of a “fire sale” in apartments but they tended to have less growth in value over time, so there was more potential for a loss. “I don’t think apartments are necessarily collapsing, the figures aren’t strong by any means but it’s not as if people are abandoning apartments. I think it just reflects the fact there’s less capital gain over time so at any point in the cycle you’re less likely to make a profit simply because apartment values don’t go up as much.”

The national median gross profit was $285,000, down from a peak of $440,000 but similar to recent quarters.

Profit-making sales had been held for a median 10 years.

Sellers who made a loss had held their properties for a median 4.2 years and lost a median $54,000.

For owner-occupiers, 11.1 percent of resales in the first quarter were for a loss, down from 11.6 percent in the last quarter of 2025 but still about the highest levels since 2013.

For investors, 13.7 percent of sales were for a loss, up from 11.3 percent in the fourth quarter last year and the highest level since 2012.

SUPPLIED

“We’re in a buyer’s market, lots of choice, prices are flat, so that’s working against resellers,” Davidson said. “Eighty-eight percent is down a lot from where it used to be but that’s still pretty much nine in every 10 people making a gross profit of some degree so it’s still quite strong and it’s quite in favour of sellers.

“If you’re an Auckland seller of an apartment and you’re an investor, it’s been a tricky few years.”

He said there had been previous periods of time that had been similarly difficult for people who bought just before a drop in prices.

“If you go back to the worst point of the GFC, the figure [making a gain] was down at about 80 percent … and in the Asian financial crisis it was about 70 percent.

“Things are not great for sellers at the moment but it has been worse in the past even though this downturn in property values has been bigger. I guess it’s just telling you that people are able to hang on.

“There’s been serviceability testing, there’s probably higher credit standards than what they might have been 20 or 30 years ago so even though the downturn in values has been bigger people have been able to hold on and ride it out. “

In some cases, people may be taking their homes off the market rather than selling at a loss.

Davidson said very few listings “failed” in 2020 and 2021 but since the proportion had risen to between 25 percent had 30 percent and stayed there.

“We recorded about 21,850 ‘pulled’ listings in 2025, the highest since 2018, but that’s in the wider context of more properties just being listed and sold anyway.”

QV data, meanwhile, shows the average value nationally had grown by 0.3 percent since the start of the year to $912,406 but was 0.2 percent lower than a year earlier.

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Blues captain Maia Roos embracing expectations as Super Rugby Aupiki continues to grow

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Blues won the 2024, and 2025 Aupiki finals. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Blues women want to build a dynasty.

The franchise has dominated the early years of Aupiki, winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, and they have no intention of relinquishing their crown.

Blues captain Maia Roos said they welcome the target on their backs as it hunts a historic three-peat, when the season gets under way next month.

“It’s sitting there, everyone’s gunning for the win this year, so we just have to start fresh, start new and can’t get complacent.”

Roos has been part of the Blues set-up since the inaugural season and has seen significant growth in Aupiki, both in the number of games and standard of rugby being played.

“We worried about the sustainability of the competition because it was so bang, bang, bang, six games. But I think as we continue to get more funding, more resources in our sport, I hope that we’ll be able to extend the competition in a way that is accessible to more girls so that they don’t have to fully quit their jobs for three months and then have to look again.”

That growth is reflected in the 2026 competition structure, with the season expanding to a six round format, alongside a final and a trans-Tasman championship.

Another major change this year is the scheduling. The season has shifted to June to accommodate the Black Ferns Pacific Four campaign – a move Roos believes will ultimately lift standards across the game.

“It set a really good standard for how girls will train and play in Aupiki, and I think they’ll be able to take those standards into their clubs so that the younger girls are able to rise to that level as well.”

Maia Roos says the Blues will have a target on their back this year. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Black Ferns lock said the increase in professionalism within the women’s game has also translated into a more physical and entertaining competition.

“Man, we’re able to play such exciting games because of the fitness levels. It’s hard, because every team has those strengths to match that. So the games are quality every single week and they’re exciting to watch and play.”

The introduction of long-term contracts has also strengthened confidence in the pathway for aspiring players, she said.

“Just showing people from their communities that they can play at this level, and that’s beneficial for all rugby in New Zealand and girls and boys who want to play when they grow up too.”

After a forgettable World Cup last year, Roos, fresh off the Pacific Four campaign, said the new Black Ferns era had started strongly under Whitney Hansen.

“We feel so connected as a group, you get that through hardship. We have the tools that we need and it’s up to us and how we run with it. I think with the start of a new World Cup cycle, it’s cool to see new players getting exposed to high pressure, high performance rugby in Aupiki.”

Even so, Roos admits Black Ferns selection inevitably lingers in the background during the domestic season.

“It does sit in the back of my head, but my main focus right now is on Aupiki and on serving our Blues region. I love the Blues and I’m so excited to be back with my friends. The cool thing is that I’ve played with these girls since grassroots, since school, and to now represent our region together is really cool, ten years on. Oh man, we’re old!”

With 33 new names spread across the four Aupiki squads this season, Roos believes the Blues’ dominance will face its toughest challenge yet.

“All the squads are so strong this year. Poa has some really strong new additions and I think the girls that they’ve retained have a real hunger to be better. I think all the teams are going to be strong and every week you can’t let your guard down.”

Despite the rising standard on the field, Roos said one of her biggest hopes for the season is to see more supporters in the stands.

“I understand the cost of living crisis is tough right now, so people don’t always have the money to come out to games, but ticket prices are quite accessible at some of our games. It would be amazing to see more people supporting us and supporting women’s rugby.”

Aupiki Round One:

Saturday 13 June

2:05pm, Blues vs Hurricanes Poua, Eden Park, Auckland

4:05pm, Matatū vs Chiefs Manawa, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

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Tom Butland’s comeback year ends on surfing’s biggest stage

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tom Butland is one of three New Zealanders that will line up in the World Surf League event in Raglan this week. PhotoCPL / Supplied / Surfing NZ

This time last year Taranaki surfer Tom Butland could not walk – now he is preparing to take on the best in the world.

Butland will line up at the New Zealand Pro in Raglan this week, in a landmark moment for New Zealand surfing as the country hosts its first World Surf League championship tour event.

The 24-year-old could find himself sharing the water the likes of Brazilian stars Gabriel Medina and Miguel and Samuel Pupo, as well as defending world champion Yago Dora.

But only a few months ago, getting back to full fitness was his biggest goal.

Butland spent most of 2025 off the water after badly injuring his knee while surfing. Then, just as he was recovering, another accident left him facing an even longer road back.

“It’s hard to even picture, this time last year I couldn’t walk, so it’s crazy to be back and in a comp as big as this,” Butland told RNZ.

He first tore the MCL in his knee while out on the water. During rehab, a mountain bike accident tore the AC joint in his shoulder, broke his elbow and both scapulars, and left him concussed.

The recovery was long and frustrating, but the prospect of New Zealand hosting a World Surf League event helped fuel his comeback.

“It certainly lit a fire under me to go hard and try and qualify for Raglan. I wasn’t really surfing at a great level until probably the middle of December when I started to get my feet back because I had to trust all the injuries and get mind over matter.”

Tom Butland competing at the national surfing championships in Dunedin in 2020. Cory Scott / PHOTOSPORT

His place in the WSL field to compete at Manu Bay was confirmed in April when he won the wildcard qualifying event.

The injuries also changed the way he viewed competition.

“Going away and trying to improve your craft and then coming back and focusing on competing again was quite healthy.”

He was in Australia for the recent WSL stop at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, where he got an early taste of the atmosphere he’ll experience in Raglan.

“I did a lot of free surfing around the pros so I could get the vibe of what it was like to be around them. It’s super competitive, the energy is definitely different around the pros.

“It’s intense they’re all on a mission to be world champion and the way the approach even a practice session is so different to what I’m use to.

“It’s made me excited.”

Despite the scale of the occasion, Butland said he would still approach the New Zealand Pro like any other event.

“Nothing changes, just keep it solid, nothing to prove other than proving something to myself.”

Butland will need to progress from a preliminary round to make the main draw, but said that up against the world’s top 32 surfers, every heat will feel like a final.

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Climate legislation changes an attack on the rule of law – Environmental Defence Society

Source: Radio New Zealand

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Proposed changes to climate legislation are an attack on the rule of law, the Environmental Defence Society says.

The government announced on Tuesday it would amend climate law to prevent companies from being sued over damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

But Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor told RNZ that the fact it was about climate law was incidental.

“It’s actually an attack on the rule of law,” he said.

In 2024, iwi leader and activist Mike Smith was granted permission by the Supreme Court to sue Fonterra and other major dairy and fossil fuel companies.

He argued the companies, which collectively contributed about a third of New Zealand’s emissions, had a legal duty to him and others in communities that are being damaged by the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

The hearing, which was sent back to the High Court, was due to start in April next year.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the change would apply to current and future cases.

Gary Taylor Supplied

Taylor said there were two things wrong with the proposal.

“The first is that the government is proposing to limit New Zealanders’ rights to sue in civil proceedings, and the second is that it’s doing it when there’s an active case, Mr Smith’s case, before the courts that the Supreme Court has ruled should be heard.”

Taylor said Goldsmith should be ashamed of himself “for bringing a bill of this kind to Parliament”.

“I think his colleague, the Attorney General, should be investigating it for lack of consistency with the Bill of Rights Act.

“It’s pretty outrageous, and it raises issues that go far beyond climate change into the so-called comity between the different arms of government – the executive, the Parliament, and the courts – and here we’ve got a prime example of executive overreach, where they’re wanting to intervene in a judicial process and take someone’s legitimate rights away from them.”

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Everlee Wihongi transferred to state with tougher immigration rules, lawyer says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Everlee Wihongi was detained by ICE when re-entering the US on a Green Card a month ago. Supplied

The lawyer of a New Zealander held by the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) believes she was transferred from the state of California to Arizona because the state takes a harsher view of federal immigration law.

Everlee Wihongi was detained by ICE when re-entering the US on a Green Card a month ago, following a family holiday in New Zealand.

Wihongi was originally detained and held in Los Angeles, but was transferred to a different facility in the Republican-voting state Arizona.

Lawyer Marc Christopher told RNZ he had been scheduled to talk to her on Saturday afternoon (local time), but had not been notified that she was transferred the night before.

“When I logged in to speak with her, I had nothing but an empty chair there in front of me.”

Christopher said he never used to see transfers like this, but under the Trump administration, it was happening frequently.

He said it seemed the government was intentionally transferring detained immigrants to states with courts that would interpret federal law in a way that was less favourable to immigrants.

He pointed out the government was heavily investing in detention facilities in southern Rebublican-voting states, such as “Alligator Alcatraz“.

Transferring clients also made it incredibly challenging for him to communicate with them, including Wihongi, he said.

“I can’t meet with them hardly in person, and the ability to have a Zoom call with them is very limited. I’m normally limited to 20 minutes at a time, and it takes a couple of days to set up an appointment.”

Christopher said he was confident Wihongi had been charged at her first appearance before a judge on 28 April, but those charges had not been communicated to her.

“They have made allegations against her as far as conduct … but they have not pointed to the law, the United States law, that makes her removable.”

The conduct allegation that has led to Wihongi’s detention relates to a decade-old conviction for a felony offence of marijuana possession.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters previously claimed she was detained because she had lied about that offence.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters. RNZ / Mark Papalii

But Christopher said she had been detained simply because she had been convicted of that offence – not because she had lied about anything.

That was because of a nuance in US law that meant the previous conviction did not require her deportation, but it would prevent her from re-entering the country, should she leave, he said.

“Let’s say Everlee had remained in the United States and had applied for her citizenship, she would have been able to get her citizenship and then travel in and out of the country, but because she travelled out with a controlled substance violation before she got her citizenship, she’s prohibited from coming back in.”

Grounds for relief

Wihongi has a court date to have the earlier underlying felony conviction vacated, which could secure her release, Christopher said.

That was set to take place in the state of Wisconsin on 21 May.

The basis of that appeal was that Wihongi’s attorney when she was faced the marijuana possession charges, told her that a conviction would not affect her immigration status.

She pleaded guilty to the charge based off incorrect advice, Christopher said.

Everlee Wihongi’s lawyer, Marc Christopher. Supplied / LinkedIn

“Under our constitution, if that happens, a person is able to then vacate their conviction.

“In addition to this, shortly after Everlee’s conviction, the attorney was disbarred for a number of reasons, foremost for lying to his clients for forging documents and forging court orders.”

If that conviction was vacated, the US would no longer have any legal basis to detain her, and she would be released “relatively soon after”.

If they were unable to vacate that underlying conviction, the next step in the immigration case would be to apply for something called a “cancellation of removal”, Christopher said.

“It’s a provision under our statute, which allows permanent residents who have committed deportable offences to remain in the United States.”

But they would need to prove that Wihongi was eligible for that relief, and that was challenging to do currently, as the courts had not stipulated the exact charges she was facing, he said.

It was not yet clear whether she would be charged for a controlled substance violation, or as an aggravated felon.

He explained that under Wisconsin law, possession of marijuana counted as a felony if it was a second offence.

Wihongi had previously been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, so when she faced the marijuana possession charges, she was convicted of a felony in Wisconsin.

But federal law applied differently.

Under federal law, a controlled substance possession charge would only be a felony if it was the second drug possession charge, and the paraphernalia charge would not be considered.

If Wihongi was to be charged as as an aggravated felon, he would argue that the federal law should be applied, not the Wisconsin law, Christopher said.

“That’s the nuanced argument that we’re going to make. I don’t even know if I need to make the argument because they haven’t even set forth that that’s what they’re charging [her with].”

ICE ‘reluctant to cooperate’

Another challenge Wihongi was facing was whether ICE would allow her to attend the Wisconsin hearing.

“The court is trying to work with the ICE facility to allow Everlee to appear and testify by video,” Christopher said.

“The court will allow it, but oftentimes the ICE facilities are reluctant to cooperate with state courts.”

It was very common for people detained by ICE to not be allowed to attend their hearings in any fashion, Christopher said.

He was worried this would impact her chances of having the underlying possession conviction quashed.

“Normally the judge and the district attorney will want to hear testimony directly from the defendant.”

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Vaccine-preventable HPV cancers cost country more than $130m in four years

Source: Radio New Zealand

A swab used to test for HPV. Angus Dreaver

A new study has put the cost of vaccine preventable cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) at more than $130 million in four years.

One of the study’s authors says HPV vaccine rates are far too low, and they need to be boosted to stop cancers occuring in the first place.

HPV causes several types of cancer, including oropharyngeal (throat), cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anus/anal canal and penile.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal this week, has estimated the cost between 2019 and 2022 at $131.4m – $82.4m in direct treatment costs, and $49m in pre-cancer detection.

The authors said that was likely an under-estimate, as it did not account for costs from the private sector, loss of productivity, travel costs, psychological impacts, or the recent addition of immunotherapy as a funded treatment option for throat cancer.

HPV is preventable by a course of two vaccines, administered to both genders from the age of nine to 26. The HPV vaccination programme was introduced for girls in 2008, and expanded to include boys in 2017.

The current vaccination rate is between 65 and 68 percent – and Health New Zealand has a national target of 75 percent coverage.

One of the study’s authors, Dr Swee Tan, a surgeon and head of Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, told RNZ that was “far too low”.

“And despite that, we have never met that target.”

In fact, vaccination rates were falling.

Dr Swee Tan, a surgeon and head of Head and Neck Cancer Foundation. Supplied / Head and Neck Cancer Foundation

“I think we have not paid enough attention to this,” Tan said. “I think we need to make a commitment as a country, and we need leadership.”

The Cancer Society, in its recently released election manifesto, has called for the government to do all it can to bring the HPV vaccination rate up to at least 90 percent, in-line with targets set by other developed countries and the World Health Organization’s recommendation.

Associate health minister Casey Costello, who has responsibility for the women’s health portfolio, has been approached for comment.

This study, which was funded by an internal grant from the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation Aotearoa, was a retrospective analysis of 2961 patients with the six cancers known to be associated with HPV from July 2017 to June 2022.

Currently, HPV status was not captured along with each diagnosis, and the study’s authors also called for a better system for capturing HPV-related data.

HPV-related oropharyngeal (throat) cancer is the most costly HPV-related cancer to treat in New Zealand, accounting for roughly half of total treatment costs.

And it was on the rise, increasing five percent each year since 2006, with most cases linked to HPV infection.

Tan said there were a number of advanced treatments available to people these days, but money and pain could be saved through prevention.

“We need to stop being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” Tan said. “Can you imagine that, instead of doing all these very intense treatments to these patients, we can prevent the cancer developing with just two simple injections?”

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NZ economy to dodge recession but faces ‘rocky’ year – Westpac

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand will avoid slipping into recession, but faces a difficult year, Westpac says. RNZ / Michelle Tiang

New Zealand will avoid slipping into recession, but faces a difficult year of weak growth, rising unemployment and higher interest rates as global energy prices surge, according to Westpac’s latest Economic Overview.

The bank said the Middle East conflict had driven a sharp rise in oil and fuel costs, hitting households and businesses and forcing a significant downgrade to the economic outlook.

“The outlook for the economy has changed materially in recent months,” Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said.

“While we are not forecasting a recession, the economy has been knocked off course by a surge in fuel prices and heightened global uncertainty.”

Westpac now expected economic growth of around 1.5 percent in 2026, describing it as another year of “sub par” performance as the recovery loses momentum.

“We don’t expect a recession right now. Rather the view is that the Iran war will merely cause a pause in the economic recovery,” Eckhold said

The bank expected stronger growth to return from 2027, but warned the outlook was highly uncertain and depended heavily on how long the conflict lasted.

Inflation surge and higher interest rates

A key impact of the oil shock was a renewed lift in inflation, with higher petrol prices flowing through into a broad range of costs.

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold. Supplied / LinkedIn

“The spike in fuel and other costs is driving a renewed lift in inflation pressures across the economy,” Eckhold said.

Westpac expected annual inflation to rise into the 4 percent to 5 percent range over the coming year, remaining above the Reserve Bank’s target band until well into 2027.

That was likely to force the Reserve Bank to begin raising interest rates.

“Interest rates are set to rise – it’s a question of ‘when,’ not ‘if’ hikes occur,” the bank said.

Westpac expected the Official Cash Rate to climb to around 3 percent by the end of 2026, with more increases in 2027.

Households squeezed, spending slows

Rising living costs were expected to weigh heavily on households over the coming year.

Fuel prices had jumped sharply since the conflict began, adding to earlier increases in essentials such as food and electricity.

“Cost of living pressures have intensified,” the bank said, warning that household finances were coming under renewed strain and spending growth was set to slow sharply.

Higher borrowing costs would also add to the pressure to household budgets, with mortgage rates likely to increase as interest rates rose.

Rising living costs are expected to weigh heavily on households. 123RF

Businesses were expected to respond to rising costs and uncertainty by pulling back on hiring.

“Businesses are likely to shelve hiring plans while oil prices and uncertainty are elevated,” Eckhold said.

Westpac expected the unemployment rate to rise to around 5.6 percent over the coming year as hiring growth stalled.

Housing and investment hit

The housing market, which had shown signs of recovery earlier in 2026, was expected to lose momentum.

House prices were forecast to be flat to slightly lower over the year, reflecting weaker confidence and rising interest rate expectations.

“The housing market is unlikely to be a driver of growth for the coming year or so,” Eckhold said.

Business investment and construction were also expected to slow, as firms delay decisions amid heightened uncertainty.

Outlook depends on conflict

Westpac said the next steps for the economy would depend heavily on how events unfolded in the Middle East.

A prolonged conflict would mean weaker growth and more persistent inflation, while a faster resolution would ease pressures sooner.

“The economy is navigating rocky waters, with subdued economic growth, a soft labour market and high inflation,” the bank said.

“Firms need to manage what they can control,” Eckhold said.

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Number of kids in KiwiSaver halves

Source: Radio New Zealand

The number of people aged under 17 in KiwiSaver has halved in the past decade. Unsplash

KiwiSaver providers say kids are missing out on a chance to have time to supercharge their returns.

The number of people aged under 17 in KiwiSaver has halved in the past decade.

In June 2015, there were 368,079 kids in KiwiSaver, but that had dropped to 169,409 last June.

The $1000 kickstart that used to be offered to all new KiwiSaver enrolments was removed in 2015.

Kernel founder Dean Anderson said it was a worry that fewer children had accounts.

“We want to see serious political discussion this election on KiwiSaver settings – starting with the roughly half a billion dollars a year the government spends on contributions. Right now that’s largely a tax credit flowing to the middle class. Redirected, it could have a far more meaningful impact for New Zealand.”

He said it could instead be directed to younger people, who would then have the benefit of it compounding over their lifetimes.

Kernel founder Dean Anderson. Supplied / Kernel

“Youth unemployment is now at 14.4 percent nationally – 18.7 percent in Auckland and 23.5 percent for young Māori. These are the rangatahi who most need a solid financial footing, especially in a world of AI, and the key to building one is getting them engaged early with their own dollars.

“With the right settings – government seeding from birth, parent matching where families can, full engagement from 16 – the average 18-year-old could enter the workforce with $10,000 to $20,000 already behind them. Not a handout. A foundation. And we are seeing the demand, one of our most requested products at Kernel is for kids investing accounts, including kids KiwiSaver – which we have on our radar.”

Sharesies said it hoped to encourage participation by offering a contribution of 25 cents in every dollar for children’s KiwiSaver accounts on its platform, up to $100 during the 2026/27 contribution year.

It would apply to contributions made to the accounts of people under 16 from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 and would be paid directly into the child’s KiwiSaver account, between July and August 2027.

Co-founder Brooke Roberts said that could have an outsize impact over time. She calculated if $500 was contributed into a KiwiSaver account when a child was born and nothing more until retirement, at 65, using an aggressive fund type this could end up worth $26,500.

Sharesies co-founder Brooke Roberts. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

“The earlier a child is invested, the harder time works for them. We want to help parents and guardians to take that step sooner and we’re backing that with our own contribution.”

She said she wanted to advocate for more people to be able to save for retirement as soon as possible and start building a future nest egg whether it was for a first home or retirement.

“The most valuable aspect of money is time. And so the earlier that people can use that time, the better for more opportunities to grow them into the future.”

She said Sharesies had only recently launched KiwiSaver for kids but there were 100,000 kids accounts on the wider Sharesies platform.

Roberts said the intention was to see how the contribution worked this year and determine from that point whether it continued.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a new name

Source: Radio New Zealand

A medical condition affecting more than 170 million women worldwide has been renamed after researchers led a global process over 14 years to correct a misunderstanding.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal and metabolic condition which can affect fertility, weight, skin, hair, mental health and long-term risk of diabetes and heart disease – has been renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

Unlike the name suggests, “true” ovarian cysts aren’t a feature of the syndrome and experts have spent years trying to untangle the confusion. Now, new research and action is here to clear the air.

Symptoms of PCOS are wide ranging and can include skin issues like acne. (file image)

Unsplash / Fellipe Ditadi

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Police presence at Auckland bike ride that ended in arrests was excessive, organiser says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Chris Becker chrisbecker, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The organiser of an Auckland push bike ride that ended with arrests and infringement notices handed out says the police presence was excessive, with more officers in attendance than riders at one point.

BikeLife’s Kimami Ngaluafe said he plans to meet with police this week – with another ride taking place in Onehunga on the weekend.

Four people were arrested on the Sunday cycle ride through Henderson and New Lynn and 53 infringement notices were issued.

About 120 mainly young people took part in the event that lasted about three hours.

Ngaluafe said he was trying to do something positive for young people – and the event went “pretty good” despite the arrests and tickets being handed out.

The negative attention came from riders wearing balaclavas – which the public didn’t accept the image of, he said.

“If they can ride around in tights, why can’t we ride around in balaclavas?”

Ngaluafe said balaclavas helped young people who were struggling with self confidence and dealing with backlash from “anti-bike” people online.

He said they were receiving backlash from the public for riding bikes and the way they were dressed – and wearing balaclavas kept them protected from that negativity.

Ngaluafe said he only saw one person taken away by police – and at one point, there were more police than riders in attendance.

He said he thought some of the police were aggressive, although that did not excuse any of the behaviour displayed by the riders.

BikeLife had met with police prior to the event, Ngaluafe said, and would do so again to ensure future rides were safe for all road users.

He said many of the riders did not wear helmets because they could not afford them.

The point of the ride was to get youth out of the house as there were more benefits to being outside than sitting at home on devices.

After Sunday’s ride, Ngaluafe said he believed they had the support of the community and would see their biggest ride out ever.

There would be a safety briefing before the ride, to remind participants to wear helmets, keep left, let traffic flow and not take up both lanes.

On Monday, Acting Inspector Damian Albert said officers had monitored the behaviour of riders in order to take action against those not following road safety rules on engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Albert said police monitoring the event were disappointed a potion of the group failed to comply with road safety messaging and legislation.

“These riders showed a complete disregard for others on the road, and we will continue to hold them to account and impound their bikes.

“Police attempted to keep disruption for commuters to a minimum and hope that police enforcement action today sends a strong message about the seriousness of road safety.”

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